Various Reasons for the Government's Decision to Maintain In-Person Learning

The government has decided that students will continue to learn face-to-face amid the global crisis. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that the government considers in-person learning a priority.

Pratikno emphasised this in internal guidance to the health and education deputy teams of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture on Monday, 23 March 2026.

Meanwhile, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti assured that there are no plans for online learning for students. Thus, the learning process for primary to secondary school students will proceed normally, namely face-to-face for five days a week.

Previously, in a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on 13 March 2026, President Prabowo Subianto encouraged measures to save fuel oil consumption. Prabowo also considered work-from-home policies as an anticipatory step against the impact of the global crisis.

Here are the reasons why in-person learning must continue.

1. Education Quality Must Be Maintained

Pratikno said that in-person learning is the government’s priority. Amid the global crisis, education quality must still be maintained. Therefore, the education sector must operate optimally and, as much as possible, be conducted in-person.

2. No Desire for Learning Loss to Occur

Pratikno stated that Prabowo pays attention to improving the quality of human resources, especially in education and health. Pratikno does not want the learning process to cause learning loss.

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.

3. No Urgency for Hybrid Learning

Pratikno acknowledged that there had been discussions about the possibility of using hybrid methods in student learning. However, cross-ministry discussions agreed that there is currently no urgency for online learning for students.

“As with the extraordinary priority given by the President to the education sector, from school revitalisation, people’s schools, and garuda excellent schools, we must accelerate the improvement of education quality in general,” said Pratikno.