Learning and Living Through a Pandemic
The morning air at the Foundation for the Development of Disabled Children (YPAC) in Bali was enriched with the scents of incense and flowers, thanks to Agus (24) and Yusik (21), who began their ritual of making offerings after the students had meticulously cleaned every corner of the school. Despite it being a scheduled school day, the classrooms stood empty, with no teachers in sight. This unusual emptiness was a direct result of directives outlined in circular letter number 09/Satgas Covid 19/III/2020, mandating that all Bali schools switch to online learning for two weeks starting from Monday, March 16, 2020. Instituted as a measure for social distancing to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, this shift posed a unique challenge, particularly for YPAC, given its dual role as both an educational institution and a residence for eighteen of its thirty-nine students.
The directive necessitated a significant adjustment for YPAC, more so than other schools, because it wasn't just a place of learning but also a home for nearly half of its students. The transition to online learning, prompted by the need for social distancing, highlighted the school's unique position in providing both education and shelter amidst the pandemic. This situation underscored the dual challenge YPAC faced in adapting to the new norms of education during a global health crisis, ensuring both the continuity of learning and the well-being of its resident students.
I Putu Nitiyasa (61), the headmaster, said that this situation might be one of the toughest dilemmas during his tenure. He received a message about the circular letter at midnight on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Some parents immediately called him, seeking permission for their children to stay home from school. By the next morning, he convened a brief meeting with teachers and parents, and subsequently, some students were taken home. However, the situation was not as straightforward as it seemed.
The first concern for Putu was that online learning might be challenging for students with disabilities, especially those with mental disabilities. Secondly, students at home needed to be well-monitored. They needed to understand that this situation was not a holiday for playing outside their homes.
'We have a student from Singaraja who is well-known to his neighbors and likes to spend most of his time outside when he is back in his hometown. Every time the school day begins, his body must be itchy. The current situation is a serious problem,' added Putu. So far, thanks to effective coordination, the online teaching and learning program has been running smoothly, both for teachers and parents and for those living in the dormitory, even though studying is quieter than usual.
