Banjarmasin not to open online learning option

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The City Government of Banjarmasin has reopened schools for all classes with 100 percent capacity and do not provide a distance learning (PJJ) option anymore

"We officilly have decided this year there is no more PJJ, now 100 percent students enter their class for learning," said Head of Banjarmasin Education Agency Totok Agus Daryanto, Tuesday.

Only if any student is confirmed positive with COVID-19 or sick with symptoms of COVID-19 or has a close contact with a COVID-19 confirmed person, then he or she will be provided with PJJ.

"That is the only exception. If a parent does not agree with face-to-face learning (PTM) without the condition we have mentioned, we will not provide PJJ," he expounded.

Totok said that this policy is in effect from early childhood education and kindergarten (PAUD/TK), elementary (SD) and secondary (SMP) school, both public and private school, affective January 3, 2022.

The agency decided that the full face-to-face learning is carried out with a maximum duration of 6 hours a day. It is also adjusted to the level and grade of the students.

Nevertheless, even though COVID-19 case in Banjarmasin City has been very declining, the implementation of face-to-face learning remains to apply strict health protocols with 5M approach (wearing mask, washng hands with soap, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, and avoiding crowds).

Schools with large number of students can schedule students' entry and exit in each study group to avoid crowds.

However, said Totok, the direct learning will be temporarily suspended or divertedto online learning for 14 days, if there is a cluster of COVID-19 transmission or the number of infected student is in an education unit is 5 percent or more.

"Full capacity direct learning is certainly have an evaluation to make it better. We wll also continue to monitor it," he said.