VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim asserted again on Sunday that the reopening of schools in COVID-19 green zones as the new school year begins today, July 13, 2020, must prioritize the implementation of the predetermined health protocols.

“Several regencies and cities classified as green zones according to the national COVID-19 mitigation task force are permitted to start face-to-face learning activities under strict health protocols,” said Nadiem in a written statement in Jakarta, Sunday, July 12.

The minister along with the Health Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, and Religious Affairs Ministry had released a joint decree on the guidance of learning activities on the new academic year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the policy, offline classes are permitted to begin gradually, starting from the junior high school and senior or vocational high school level. The reopening of schools is also under the authority of the regional head, along with agreement among the school principal and parents.

“So schools willing to reopen must convince all the parents that the health protocols in the school are adopted well,” the minister added.

Presently, Nadiem Makarim aid the Education and Culture Ministry was monitoring the readiness of schools in several green zone areas ahead of their reopening.

The ministry, he went on, was ready to support, such as by relaxing the use of school operational assistance (BOS) for the implementation of health protocols. (tempo.co)