Distance Learning: Expert Warns of Potential Learning Loss

Education observer and practitioner Indra Charismiadji assesses that discussions on distance learning (PJJ) or work from home (WFH) are not linked to education quality. The proposal for PJJ for schoolchildren and WFH for employees, particularly civil servants (ASN), has emerged following the government’s attempts to reduce petroleum fuel consumption due to disrupted energy supplies from the Middle East conflict.

“If PJJ is cancelled while WFH continues, we must first examine the basis of the consideration. It should not be due to system readiness, but other reasons unrelated to education quality,” Indra stated when contacted by Media Indonesia on Wednesday (25/3).

He emphasised that the government has yet to demonstrate concrete steps in building a mature digital learning system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, learning loss occurred due to unprepared infrastructure and online learning methods. Learning loss is the phenomenon where students become unmotivated to learn.

“The problem during the pandemic was that we were not ready. The question now, after nearly six years, is there any improvement? The fact is, no,” he asserted.

Indra highlighted that online learning practices in Indonesia have not fully embraced the concept of blended learning (face-to-face and online schooling). Technology use, he said, is still limited to chat applications like WhatsApp or virtual meetings not designed as effective learning systems.

“In other countries, learning management systems (LMS) are already standard. In ours, it is sporadic, and teaching methods have not changed; they remain one-way,” he remarked.

In his view, this situation contrasts with the working world, which has become increasingly adaptive to flexible systems. He considers the disparity between the education system and workforce needs as a fundamental issue that remains unresolved.

“Now people can work from anywhere, but schools must always be face-to-face to be considered effective. This means there is a lack of synchrony between the education system and the future realities of the workforce,” he said.

Furthermore, Indra warned that Indonesia’s lag in digital education is not merely perception but reflected in various international studies.

He noted that national education achievements in several global indicators still show a downward trend.

“Both from PISA and national assessments, our education quality tends to decline. This is a serious alarm,” he said.