Jakarta, June 1, 2020 – The Indonesian government has been planning policies in preparing for a new normal. In total of 4 provinces, 25 districts and cities are preparing to carry out activities in compliance with the health protocol. The Ministry of Health will work closely with the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Education to create health protocols for the education sector.
However, several institutions including the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Bandung Parent Student Forum, and the Indonesian Teachers Association (PB PGRI) said they would refuse if children attended school soon. The refusal was also expressed by many students’ parents. According to the KPAI Commissioner survey, Retno Listyarti, 71% of respondents do not agree with the opening plan. The survey was obtained from teachers, parents, and health workers.
PB PGRI Chairman Dudung Nurullah Koswara explained, “Instead of opening schools in the Covid-19 patterns that make it easier for students, teachers, and parents to get involved.”
The desire to make online learning tools a solution was also conveyed by the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia in a speech on National Education Day. “For the first time, teachers are doing online, using new tools or devices, and realizing that learning can happen anywhere” said Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Education and Culture Minister.
As one of the ed-tech start up that pioneered live teaching and learning activities online in Indonesia, Cakap offers an alternative solution in conducting teaching and learning activities online. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, Cakap noted an increase of more than 5 times the number of users. Compared to the previous year in the same quarter, there was a 3200% increase in traffic to Cakap.
Cakap actively engages with various stakeholders ranging from business people, organizations, and the government to help overcome the impact of the pandemic so that they remain productive while at home. One of the on-going projects that provides free access to English learning for students throughout Indonesia is Cakap Goes to School program. This activity has been attended by various schools from various regions, such as Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, to Pekalongan, Central Java.
Cakap also collaborates with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, providing online English training. The training is held to prepare MSME and tourism practitioners for six months, starting from May to November with a duration of 50 minutes each. The material provided comprises Basic English conversation to promote tourist attractions, specifically in 5 Super Priority Destination locations. This program is expected to prepare more competent human resources to ready themselves for the new normal period.
Tomy Yunus, CEO of Cakap, says that “Cakap has proven that the community can still be productive, despite their activities at home. The increase in visits and download numbers on the Cakap application also shows that various initiative programs that have been carried out by the Cakap team are in demand by the community. I hope that Cakap can continue to provide benefits to the community as an alternative in positive activities”.
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: @squline