Government to Implement Remote Learning Scheme for Students in Semesters 5 and Above This Week

The Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, has ordered higher education institutions to implement a remote learning (PJJ) system for students from the fifth semester upwards starting this week.

“So, students in each programme should review which courses can be conducted in a hybrid manner or via PJJ lectures,” Brian said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (6/4).

Brian also requested that campuses not apply the PJJ scheme to first- and second-semester students. According to him, they still need a strong foundation in terms of the academic atmosphere.

In addition, he asked higher education institutions to assess which courses can be conducted online without diminishing the essence of learning.

“But once again, these are not courses that require practicals, studios, and so on. So, courses that are more about providing insights, but we leave it to each higher education institution,” he stated.

Brian did not specify how many days the PJJ method would be applied in a week. However, he mentioned guidance stating that educators and lecturers should work from home (WFH) for one day during the week.

“We want to regulate it. Of course, we give the campuses guidance on how lecturers can work without being spread over five days. But perhaps it can be four days. One day can be working from home,” he said.

At the same time, Brian also urged universities to prioritise the use of digital tools.

He stated that from registration to accessing student transcripts, everything can be done online, which is expected to reduce student mobility.

“That should be as digital as possible, so for example, final assignments that previously had to be printed five times can be reduced,” he said.