Some Indonesian students return to schools, at a distance

Jakarta, Aug 30

School bells rang in parts of Indonesia’s capital for the first time in more than a year on Monday as schools shut by the coronavirus were allowed to begin reopening as cases decline.

A total of 610 schools that passed standards set by the Jakarta Education Agency reopened their doors, though with many precautions still in place.

In-person schooling will be blended with remote learning and gradually increased based on the government’s evaluation of the situation. Elementary students will initially attend school three days a week, junior high students four days and high school students five days, all with shortened class periods.

The city administration initially planned to reopen schools in June, but postponed the restart when a wave of infections triggered by the highly contagious delta variant engulfed the country.

“We have passed the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 infections,” Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said Monday, adding that officials hope to reopen all schools by January.

There are 5,341 schools ranging from elementary to high school in Jakarta, according to government data.

“I feel nervous,” said Akila Malawa, a 12-year-old student going to class for the first time in more than a year at Suluh junior high school. “But I’m so happy to see my friends again.” “I hope the coronavirus in Indonesia will end so I can go to school and meet friends every day,” said her classmate, Amalwin Harjodisastra.

Schools in several other cities also reopened Monday.

As schools restart, government guidelines have changed many class traditions. Chatting in class is not allowed, facemasks must be worn at all times and no one can leave class for recess. Schools must slash class capacity by 50 per cent by holding classes in two shifts. Teachers must be vaccinated.

The Health Ministry reported 5,436 new infections on Monday, the lowest daily total since June 9. They have declined since new cases peaked on July 15, when more than 56,000 were recorded.

Last month, Indonesia began vaccinating those aged between 12 and 18. AP