VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A total of 84,161,759 Indonesians have received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccination as of Sunday, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

This number has increased by 742,673 compared to the previous day. Meanwhile, the number of people who had received the first dose of vaccination rose  by 573,155 to reach 130,283,345..

The data also showed 1,189,235 health workers had received third or booster vaccine doses. Overall, the government is seeking to vaccinate  208,265,720 people against COVID-19.

Previously, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology expressed support for the government's plan to vaccinate children aged 6-11 at school with the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We always support the government's efforts to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which is through the vaccination program and the expansion of vaccination coverage," Acting Bureau of Cooperation and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Anang Ristanto said.

Ristanto added that the vaccination for teachers and students aged 12-18 years which has been carried out previously has become one of the  considerations  to conduct face-to-face learning (PTM) which has begun on a limited basis.

Vaccination for teachers and students raises hope to welcome a new habit, namely limited face-to-face class held under strict health protocols.

"Evaluation of learning policies continues to be carried out by the government during the pandemic, including distance learning (PJJ). But somehow PJJ cannot be equated with PTM," he conveyed.

If the government was to extend PJJ, the students would potentially experience learning loss or a decrease in learning achievement. PJJ was considered to be less effective, due to the limited family economy and internet network for some students.

"In addition, PJJ in the long term can have several negative impacts on social and psychological development for children, parents, and teachers. This learning method during the pandemic has an impact on several aspects, including the mentality of children and parents," he concluded. (Antaranews)