Normal Student Learning, Pratikno Mentions Learning Loss
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno has stressed that in-person learning is the government’s top priority. According to Pratikno, amid the global crisis, the quality of education must be maintained.
Therefore, the education sector must operate optimally and, as much as possible, be conducted offline. Pratikno emphasised this in internal guidance to the health and education deputy staff of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture on 23 March 2026, directly referring to President Prabowo Subianto’s briefing at the Full Cabinet Meeting on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Pratikno stated that Prabowo is focused on improving the quality of human resources, particularly in education and health. “In the education sector, the learning process must be increasingly optimal and learning loss must not occur,” Pratikno said, quoted from a written statement on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
The term learning loss refers to the loss of knowledge and skills, either generally or specifically, or a setback in the academic process due to certain factors. Therefore, the government prioritises in-person learning for students.
Pratikno acknowledged that there had been discussions about the possibility of using hybrid methods in student learning. However, cross-ministerial talks agreed that there is currently no urgency for online learning for students, given the importance of maintaining education quality.
“As per the extraordinary priority given by the President to the education sector, from school revitalisation, People’s Schools, and the Garuda Excellence Schools, we must accelerate the improvement of overall education quality,” Pratikno said.
Previously, at the cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on 13 March 2026, President Prabowo Subianto urged steps to save fuel oil consumption. Prabowo also considered work-from-home policies as a measure to anticipate the impact of the global crisis.
The Red and White Cabinet then prepared energy-saving strategies in the public sector, covering education, health, and public services, as a follow-up to the President’s directives.
Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti assured that there are no plans for online learning for students as part of the energy-saving policy.
It is known that the government is preparing regulations for working from home one day per week for civil servants (ASN). This policy aims to save fuel oil consumption due to the war in West Asia.
According to Mu’ti, the regulation does not apply to the education sector. “Learning will continue as usual,” Mu’ti said when contacted on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
He confirmed that the learning process for primary and secondary school students will proceed normally, namely in-person for five days a week.