Impact of distance learning

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Hello Everyone!

I hope all of you are doing well.

My blog this time is about my opinion on the impact of distance learning.

Indonesia has big challenges in handling Covid-19. Of all the challenging aspects, I am more focused on the educational aspect. The application of physical distancing has an impact on the educational aspect, the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) issued a policy of home learning, online / online learning and this is followed by the elimination of the National Examination (UN) for this year. However, all of a sudden, it did not surprise educators, students, and even parents. As a result students who have prepared themselves for the UN feel very disappointed with this policy, because they just do it. 

The learning method using technology applied by the government is considered a challenge in itself. The problem that arises among parents and the community in this case is that many parents object, especially to the middle to lower class, where many of them still don't have gadgets or laptops. The issue of quotas is also a heated debate among parents of students and the community. Although there is assistance from the Ministry of Education and Culture, not all students get the quota of assistance.

We can also see from the disparity in the difference in internet speed in urban and rural areas. People in urban centers often enjoy much faster internet than those in less developed areas. For students, both elementary, junior high, high school and university students, it makes them dishonest students. For example, during exams from home, it is impossible for them not to be assisted by their siblings or parents in doing exam questions. Therefore, in my opinion, distance learning is not effective, because many parties are disadvantaged, especially students and parents. Apart from that, the teaching staff also felt dissatisfied because they could not teach their students optimally.