TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, has emphasized that face-to-face learning is a government priority. According to him, the quality of education must be maintained even in the midst of a global crisis.
Therefore, the education sector must function optimally and, as much as possible, be conducted in person. Pratikno underscored this during an internal directive to the deputy in charge of health and education at his ministry on March 23, 2026, directly referencing President Prabowo Subianto's briefings during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Pratikno stated that Prabowo is focused on improving the quality of human resources, specifically within the fields of education and health. "In the education sector, the learning process must be increasingly optimal, and we must prevent learning loss," Pratikno said, as quoted from a written statement on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The term 'learning loss' refers to a general or specific decline in knowledge and skills, or a regression in the academic process due to external factors. Consequently, the government is prioritizing the in-person learning process for students.
Pratikno admitted that there have been discussions regarding the potential use of hybrid methods in the classroom. However, inter-ministerial deliberations have concluded that there is currently no urgency for online learning, given the importance of preserving educational standards.
"As part of the President's extraordinary priority for the education sector, starting from the revitalization of schools, People's Schools, and Garuda Excellent Schools, we must accelerate the improvement of the quality of education in general," Pratikno stated.
Prior to the cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on March 13, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto urged measures to conserve fuel consumption. Prabowo also considered a work-from-home policy as a precautionary measure to mitigate the impact of the global crisis.
The Red and White Cabinet has prepared energy-saving strategies in the public sector covering education, health, and public services as a follow-up to the President's directives.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, ensured that there are no plans to implement online learning for students as part of this energy-saving policy.
It is understood that the government is currently preparing a regulation for one day of work from home per week for civil servants. The policy aims to reduce fuel consumption amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to Mu'ti, this regulation will not apply to the education sector. "Learning will continue as usual," Mu'ti said when contacted on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
He confirmed that the learning process for elementary to high school students will proceed as normal, maintaining face-to-face interaction five days a week.
Read: Indonesia Says No Plan for Online Learning as Gov't Seeks to Save Fuel
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
