Yesterday: School Learning After Eid Until Disaster Social Assistance in Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Several interesting humanities news items occurred on Wednesday (25/3) and can be read again as a summary of events to start the day today. The news begins with a statement from the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti regarding teaching and learning activities after Eid, up to disaster social assistance (bansos) for disaster-affected areas in Sumatra. 1. Mendikdasmen: Learning Continues in Schools After Eid Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti emphasised that teaching and learning activities will continue in schools after the series of Eid al-Fitr holiday breaks. He stated that the idea of implementing hybrid teaching and learning activities (online and offline) has been cancelled, considering academic aspects and the strengthening of students’ character education. “According to the results of the cross-ministerial meeting on 23 March, learning in schools will be carried out as usual, considering academic aspects and character education strengthening,” said Mendikdasmen Mu’ti. Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari explained the success of students from underprivileged families in the People’s School programme achieving various brilliant achievements at regional to national levels. “The People’s School programme not only opens access to education but also gives birth to achievements and self-confidence for children from underprivileged families,” said Muhammad Qodari. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) affirmed that the issue of forcing students participating in online learning to come to school to receive the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) is untrue or a hoax. Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Operational Fulfilment of Nutrition, Sony Sonjaya, stated that his side has not yet prepared or discussed technical guidelines (juknis) related to the distribution of MBG in online learning conditions. “To date, the government itself has not decided on online learning policies for school children,” he said. Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the DPR RI Lalu Hadrian Irfani assessed that the implementation of distance learning (PJJ) or online learning needs to be carried out selectively to maintain the quality of education in Indonesia. According to Lalu, there are currently still disparities in digital infrastructure in various regions that could potentially widen educational gaps if PJJ policies are applied broadly. “Therefore, the implementation of PJJ should be done selectively, not nationally, considering the readiness of each region,” he said. The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has completed the distribution of disaster social assistance worth more than Rp700 billion for handling disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra from the total prepared budget allocation reaching more than Rp2 trillion. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that Rp700 billion has already been disbursed and currently his side is processing the next stage of disbursement amounting to Rp218 billion as part of the government’s commitment to accelerating recovery for affected communities. The Rp218 billion budget currently being processed is intended for around 67,000 family heads (KK) as beneficiaries. In addition, the funds also cover individual livelihood guarantee (jadup) assistance for around 270,000 souls.