Impact of the Corona Virus, Malang City Government Closes Schools for 14 Days

Kapanlagi.com - The Malang City Government has suspended the teaching and learning process in schools from early childhood education (PAUD), kindergarten (TK), primary school (SD), and junior high school (SMP). The decision to close for the next 14 days is based on instructions from the Central Government.

"Because it is an instruction and not optional, we must comply and carry out the order. So, in accordance with what the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) has conveyed, starting from tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2020, the teaching and learning process in early childhood education (PAUD), kindergarten (TK), primary school (SD), and junior high school (SMP) will be suspended," said Sutiaji, the Mayor of Malang in his press statement on Sunday (15/3).

As for the announcement for high school (SMA)/ vocational high school (SMK), it will be done separately, as it is under the authority of the Provincial Government. However, he still asked the Head of the Education Office to coordinate with the East Java province.

"I have instructed the Head of the Malang City Education Office to also coordinate with the Branch Head of the Education and Culture Office of East Java Province in Malang, in order to ensure harmony in policy implementation," he added.

1. Execute Strictly

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Mayor Sutiaji conveyed, during the holiday, schools and teachers are expected to continue monitoring the learning progress of students. Teachers are asked to utilize distance teaching facilities and assignments that can be done remotely.

"I also ask schools, through communication groups between teachers and parents and also with the city's Education and Culture Department, to continue building intensive communication through online media," he added.

On Monday (3/16), Sutiaji was supposed to visit schools and educate about Covid-19. However, the instruction emerged that it should be implemented strictly.

"But because this is an instruction, we must execute it rigidly," he emphasized.

2. Follow-up to the Ministry of Education's Order

Head of the Malang City Education and Culture Office, Zubaidah, informed that they have followed up on the orders from the Ministry of Education and the Mayor of Malang. The orders have been forwarded to the School Principal and the School Principal's Working Council (MKKS).

"We have just received the instructions and orders, so we are taking action through the channels we have tonight, so that each school can immediately inform parents," said Zubaidah.

A press release from the Malang City Public Relations Office reported that the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) has issued a policy to suspend national teaching and learning activities for 14 days starting from Monday (3/16). The policy was stated to have been conveyed by the Minister of Education through the Acting Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Bureau of Kemendikbud, Ade Erlangga Masdiana, in Jakarta on Sunday (3/15).

Sutiaji is planned to monitor shopping centers and traditional markets. As for events involving mobilization and/or the movement of people, strict monitoring will be conducted, including evening entertainment.

(kpl/dar/frs)