Schools are reopening in the midst of a pandemic, how far are they prepared?

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Plans to open schools in the midst of a pandemic are filled with pros and cons from various circles. The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) has asked that the plan to open schools be postponed until the pandemic can be controlled. The doctor college warns of the high risk at stake with the thousands of COVID-19 transmission rates per day and the unpreparedness of school infrastructure to support health protocols.

Opening of schools in the midst of a pandemic

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim gave permission to local governments to decide on opening schools from January 2020.

“The COVID-19 risk zoning map does not determine the granting of face-to-face learning permits. But the Regional Government determines, so they can assess the conditions of the regions in a more detailed way, "said Nadiem in a press conference broadcast through the Ministry of Education and Culture's YouTube account, Friday (20/11).

This policy applies from the even semester of the 2020/2021 school year, which means face-to-face learning can take place in January 2021.

"So if the regions and schools want to meet face to face, immediately increase their readiness for this implementation," continued Nadiem.

Initially, the permit to open schools was only valid for areas with controlled transmission of COVID-19, namely in the green zone and the yellow zone. According to the Ministry of Education and Culture's records, at least 43 percent of students are in the two zones.

Meanwhile, in this new decree, school opening is not based on these zones. The decision to open schools in the midst of this pandemic is left to the local government, regional offices, and parents through the school committee.

Parents play a role in determining the final decision whether face-to-face school activities can be carried out or continue with the distance learning method (PJJ).

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

Are schools ready and able to implement health protocols?

The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) doubts the readiness of the plan to start a face-to-face learning transition in January 2021.

“Weigh and pay attention to the guidelines from World Health Organization (WHO), scientific publications, mass media publications, and COVID-19 data in Indonesia, currently IDAI considers that learning through a remote system (PJJ) is safer, ”wrote IDAI in a written statement on Tuesday (1/12).

According to him, the decision to reopen the school in a short time should be avoided because it has an impact on the daily routine of children and families. These pediatricians emphasized that the opening of schools must consider the number of cases and deaths of COVID-19 in each region.

IDAI noted that one in nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia occurred at the age of a child, namely 0-18 years. There is a lot of evidence, showing that children can also experience worsening of symptoms due to COVID-19 and can experience severe inflammation after previous mild COVID-19 infection.

Evidence shows that children can also experience COVID-19 with severe symptoms and develop a severe inflammatory disease that results from previous mild COVID-19 infection.

"Data (29/11) shows the proportion of child deaths due to COVID-19 compared to all death cases in Indonesia is 3.2% and is the highest in Asia Pacific today.

With this fact, IDAI warns parents that the dangers of COVID-19 in children are real. It is not certain whether a child will experience mild or severe symptoms if infected with COVID-19.

For children who are infected but without symptoms, it has the potential to infect susceptible people in their environment.

Inadequate school facilities

This face-to-face teaching and learning activity must be carried out by considering 3M's health protocol so that schools do not become places of transmission of COVID-19.

All school members must obey wearing this mask, including knowing the appropriate type of mask and how to wear the correct mask. Schools must also make seating arrangements and ensure that the room has good air circulation. This applies to student classrooms as well as settings in school staff rooms.

In addition, to implement health protocols, schools must be prepared with adequate sanitary facilities, including hand washing facilities, and disinfectants. Researcher from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Lukman Solihin in his writing at The Conversation wrote that out of 94% of schools that have clean water sources, only about 66% of school toilet facilities are in good condition. The rest is still bad and doesn't even exist at all.

The World Bank's 2019 Education Service Delivery Indicators Survey also shows that there are limited sources of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools in Indonesia.

IDAI recommendation

If indeed the decision to open a school cannot be changed, IDAI provides several points that need attention.

1. Schools must first meet standard health protocols with adequate facilities before face-to-face learning begins.
2. Schools need to have standard operating procedures if there are students, teachers, or staff who are sick, especially if they are confirmed with COVID-19.
3. If the child is considered to still need parental assistance in doing 3M, you should still choose learning from home.
4. Children who have comorbid diseases that increase the risk of COVID-19 severity should continue to learn from home.
5. Children who have family members who are at high risk at home, for example, elderly people or have comorbids, should stay at home.

IDAI appealed to parents and schools to also pay attention to other supporting facilities, such as transportation plans to school, food and beverage supplies.

The reasons for reopening schools in the midst of a pandemic include distance learning that is considered less than optimal. Distance learning is also thought to increase stress on children and families, trigger violence against children, increase dropout rates, and early marriage.

Responding to this, the experts considered that opening schools was not the only solution to these problems.