Distance Learning Deemed to Hinder Students, Bali Education Office Insists on In-Person Schooling

The Bali Education, Youth, and Sports Office (Disdikpora) has emphasised that teaching and learning activities for primary and secondary school students will continue in person amid energy efficiency efforts. This policy stems from the assessment that distance learning (PJJ) poses difficulties for students in understanding subject matter.

Head of Disdikpora Bali, Ida Bagus Wesnawa, stated that in-person learning remains the primary choice over PJJ, as implemented in higher education institutions.

“We are still using offline mode, with students going to school,” Wesnawa remarked when met by detikBali on Friday (10/4/2026).

Wesnawa assessed that experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that PJJ did not function optimally, especially for primary and junior secondary students.

“If we do it that way, it’s a pity. It’s quite difficult, particularly in understanding the material,” he said.

According to him, the impact of difficulties in comprehending material during PJJ is still felt to this day. This is reflected in the results of the Academic Ability Test (TKA), which show that students’ understanding is not yet uniform.

“If we look at the TKA capabilities, the conditions in the field are not as expected. We cannot generalise that all students are ready,” Wesnawa said.

Wesnawa emphasised that Disdikpora Bali supports the central government’s policy through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), which mandates that student learning continue in person.

“We fully agree with the central directive; students should continue learning offline,” he stressed.