LEARNING LOSS AND EDUCATION INEQUALITY IN INDONESIA (MAPPING THE POTENTIAL, CONSEQUENCES, AND THE COVID-19 CRISIS)

Abstract

The closure of schools as an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19 poses a significant risk, namely that little learning is obtained by students during online learning or what is known as learning loss. School closures also result in various social and economic problems. Learning loss is greater experienced by students who come from families with parents who are less educated and have a low economy. There is a positive correlation between learning loss and students' socio-economic background. A mitigation strategy is needed to overcome learning loss so that it does not continue to widen as a result of school closures that continue to occur due to Covid-19 which has not yet disappeared. One strategy that has been tried is to provide individual guidance with high intensity to students. Tutoring given during school hours is more effective when compared to after-school tutoring. In addition, tutoring provided by teachers or professionals is more effective than that provided by volunteers or parents. Indonesia must immediately make efforts to implement face-to-face learning so as not to lag further behind other countries that have previously conducted face-to-face learning.