Singaraja– Application new normal in the midst of the recent Covid-19 pandemic sticking out to the public. Even the discourse also penetrated into the field of education. If this happens, an academic at the Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha), Prof. Dr. I Wayan Lasmawan, M.Pd assesses that it is necessary to establish and comply with standard operating procedures for health, and collaborative work for all segments, especially in elementary schools. “The priority is security, health, safety and protection of students for their right to learn and academic activities while they are at school,” he said as a guest speaker at a national webinar organized by Elementary School Teacher Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Dwijendra, Denpasar, Friday (19/6/2020).
This academic who also serves as Undiksha’s Deputy Rector for Planning, Administration, Finance, and Human Resources (HR) considers that if the new normal is implemented, there will be a number of problems that have the potential to arise in schools. As with health facilities and normal facilities that are inadequate. Many schools still have this problem, including in Bali. Apart from that, the readiness of school human resources to be able and skilled in carrying out the new normal in the education sector is another problem in itself. According to him, this will trigger new problems, in the form of failure to implement the protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Another problem is that psychologically, socially, and formally, most schools have not been able to provide safety and health “protection certainty” for their students. This problem becomes even more complex when it is coupled with general problems at school in the form of difficulties limiting children from playing and socializing with others while they are at school, as well as the independence that is growing in children which is difficult to stop from socializing, because elementary school students are those who are growing both socially and psychologically. “These are various problems that have the potential to occur in schools in the face of the new normal being implemented,” he explained.
Even though there is the potential for various problems to arise, it does not mean schools have to be silent. But there needs to be a stand. But there needs to be a mutualist synergy between the central government, local government, parents, and schools, including the community around the school to take attitudes and actions. In facing the new normal, it is necessary to implement a standard protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19 for all school members and parents of students who are very likely to interact with the school environment. No less important is the preparation of supporting facilities. In an effort to maintain the quality of learning, it is necessary to adjust the approaches, models, and learning strategies including the teaching materials. “These matters are related to the security, safety, health, and protection of students. So that elementary school children as one of the next generations of the nation do not become victims, let alone be sacrificed. In implementing it, we need the support of all parties, “concluded Lasmawan. (hms)
