On October 4, 2023, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia and the World Bank Indonesia united in a collaborative effort to host an insightful educational roundtable in Bandung. This roundtable, graced by the presence of prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. M. Solehuddin, the esteemed Rector of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Portfolio and Operations Manager for the World Bank in Indonesia and Timor Leste, was a crucial response to the profound educational setbacks borne by Indonesian students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The primary objective of this engaging event was to cast a spotlight on the widespread learning disruptions suffered by Indonesian schoolchildren during the pandemic.
Throughout the day’s deliberations, participants delved deep into the World Bank Indonesia’s pivotal role in unraveling the hidden consequences of this global crisis. Encompassing a combination of physical and virtual engagement, with participants joining the discussion via Zoom, the roundtable fostered a rich exchange of insights surrounding the learning loss challenge while exploring pathways to potential solutions.
Mr. Shinsaku Nomura, a Senior Economist of the World Bank, was entrusted with presenting the extensive research findings titled “The Invisible Toll of COVID-19 on Learning.” This research, initially featured in the Indonesia Economic Prospect for June 2023, provided a compelling narrative. It highlighted how protracted school closures and disruptive learning processes had adversely impacted students’ grasp of subject matter. Indonesia, notably, endured one of the lengthiest periods of school closures in the Asia Pacific region, thereby exacerbating the educational setbacks over an extended duration. The research findings, gathered from a nationally representative sample of 400 schools, revealed a harrowing 11-month learning deficit in mathematics and language comprehension among grade 4 students in Indonesia. Furthermore, economic disparities, limited internet access, and the emotional toll of family losses exacerbated this dire situation. Notably, many teachers failed to recognize the extent of these learning losses, often reverting to business-as-usual post-school reopening. The research underscored the urgency for policymakers and all stakeholders to acknowledge these losses and address the burgeoning inequality in learning outcomes, underlining the imperative need for targeted actions in learning recovery.
Throughout the roundtable discussions, participants passionately emphasized several key points:
1. **Encourage Collaborative Solutions:** The dire need for increased collaboration to more effectively combat these challenges was passionately advocated.
2. **Promote Digital-Based Learning:** The imperative of adopting digital-based learning methodologies was underlined for a more flexible and adaptive educational approach.
3. **Reflect on Prolonged School Closures:** A collective reflection on the enduring impact of extended school closures and the necessity to adjust learning schedules accordingly was a pivotal point of discussion.
4. **Flexible Learning Approaches:** Creative solutions, including flexible schedules and tailored learning content, to compensate for lost time and provide teachers with greater adaptability were recommended.
5. **Maximize Learning Resources:** The critical importance of making the most of available educational materials was underscored.
6. **Individualized Instruction:** Participants ardently supported differentiated instruction to cater to students’ unique learning needs.
7. **Parental Involvement:** The crucial role of parents in assisting students in understanding subject matter was duly recognized.
8. **Utilize Simple and Accessible Applications:** The suggestion to maximize user-friendly and accessible learning applications was put forth.
9. **Understanding Learning Responses:** Participants also deliberated on recognizing diverse learning responses, including motivation levels, anxiety, and boredom.
10. **Regular Reporting:** Maintaining consistent awareness of learning losses through regular reporting was deemed indispensable.
11. **In-Depth Understanding over Broad Coverage:** Educational institutions were urged to prioritize deepening students’ understanding over racing through extensive curriculum coverage.
12. **Assessment Based on Depth:** A shift toward student achievement assessments rooted in profound understanding rather than surface-level knowledge was proposed.
13. **Targeted Recovery:** Strategies for the recovery of learning losses were passionately discussed, stressing the importance of effective material comprehension.
14. **Policy Support for Recovery:** Policymaker support for learning recovery initiatives was hailed as pivotal to their success.
The reverberations of this learning loss extended beyond the school system, impacting university education. A faculty member from the mathematics education sphere made a noteworthy observation. She pointed out that some students lacked essential skills acquired during high school due to the pandemic and recommended offering extra support and remedial sessions to bridge these learning gaps.
The roundtable’s conclusion was underscored with a potent message: in addressing the multifaceted educational challenges posed by the pandemic, a one-size-fits-all solution will not suffice. Authorities need to grasp the complexity of the situation fully, and they should remain open to experimenting with diverse resolutions. Moreover, there is a shared hope that educators will remain vigilant about the transformative changes reshaping the education landscape. Compiled by Intan/ABM.