DPR's Remarks on Proposal for Online Learning to Save Energy
Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), Lalu Hadrian Irfani, believes that the plan to implement distance or online learning should not be carried out simultaneously nationwide. He suggested that the policy discourse should be applied selectively depending on the region.
“Implementation of distance learning should be selective, taking into account the readiness of each region,” Lalu stated in his written remarks on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
According to him, the government still needs to comprehensively study the impacts of online teaching and learning activities. This includes the level of student learning achievement, educational access disparities, and the psychosocial conditions of students.
Moreover, Lalu assessed that digital infrastructure in various regions remains uneven. He said the online learning plan could potentially widen educational gaps among students.
Therefore, according to him, before the online learning discourse is implemented, adequate support from the government is needed. “This includes providing internet access, quota subsidies, learning devices, and training for teachers so that the online learning process remains optimal,” said the politician from the National Awakening Party faction.
Lalu Hadrian also encouraged periodic evaluations if the online learning discourse is realised. If the results have a negative impact on the quality of education, he advised that the distance learning policy be stopped.
“We hope that energy-saving efforts can still be carried out without sacrificing the quality of learning in Indonesia,” he said.
The discourse on online learning emerged after President Prabowo Subianto held a cabinet meeting at the State Palace on Friday, 13 March 2026. The meeting discussed policy considerations for working from home as an anticipatory step against the impact of the global crisis. The plan for online learning was then discussed in a technical coordination meeting on fuel oil saving policies.
The government initially targeted the online learning policy to be implemented in April. However, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that teaching and learning activities remain prioritised in person.
This was decided after Pratikno held an inter-ministerial meeting with Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti and Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.
Pratikno said that the quality of student education remains important to maintain, so the online learning discourse is not considered urgent. He assessed that in-person learning processes must still be optimised even amid the global crisis.
“Do not let learning loss occur. Therefore, in-person learning implementation is prioritised for students,” he said in his statement on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.