Higher Education Minister: Student Distance Learning and Lecturer WFH Should Not Disrupt Learning Quality

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto does not want the quality of education to diminish due to lecturers being allowed to work from home for one day, and students from the fifth semester upwards engaging in distance learning (PJJ). “This is done by organising lectures to be more concentrated. Of course, once again, this does not reduce learning achievements. It should not disrupt the quality of teaching,” said Brian at the Palace in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026). The PJJ method, or online lectures, is feasible with the advancement of information technology already in use on campuses. “The use of digital tools means that for registrations, applications, checking transcripts, and so on. Student mobility can be simpler because everything is digital, making it far more efficient. We also ask that tasks be digital as much as possible, so for example, final assignments that previously had to be printed five times can be reduced,” said Brian. Certainly, Brian emphasised, first- and second-semester students should not do PJJ. “So that the academic atmosphere can be built first,” he said. Subjects that can be done via PJJ are those that do not require practicals or studios. “So, subjects that are more about knowledge, but we still leave it to each higher education institution. The institutions and programmes will see which ones can be done online. But once again, it does not reduce learning achievements or quality,” he added.