Media Kampung – 27 Maret 2026 | The government announced cancellation of the planned nationwide online schooling scheme that had been discussed as a measure to reduce national fuel consumption. Decision endorsed by the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII, citing concerns over educational quality and infrastructure readiness.
The original proposal linked remote learning for students and work‑from‑home arrangements for civil servants to a projected 20 % cut in diesel and gasoline use, based on rough estimates from the Ministry of Finance. Officials argued that limiting daily commutes could lower the country’s total fuel demand.
However, analysts and educators warned that the savings would be offset by new costs, such as increased household internet expenses and the need for transportation to collect free school meals that remain delivered at school sites. Social media activist Yusuf Dumdum highlighted that students would still travel to pick up the “Makan Bergizi Gratis” (MBG) packets, negating the intended fuel reduction.
“Jika pembelajaran tetap daring tetapi anak‑anak harus datang ke sekolah untuk MBG, maka tujuan penghematan BBM tidak tercapai,” kata Dumdum kepada fajar.co.id. Ia menambahkan bahwa beban internet bagi keluarga berpenghasilan rendah dapat memperlebar kesenjangan akses belajar.
The DPR’s Commission VIII, led by member Singgih Januratmoko, emphasized that the lack of reliable broadband in many regions makes a full‑scale remote‑learning rollout impractical. Data from the 2024 National Assessment show a 5.2‑point decline in literacy and numeracy scores in areas with high online‑learning intensity over the past three years.
Moreover, the Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that about 34 % of madrasas in remote, frontier and under‑developed zones face serious internet connectivity problems, raising the risk of dropout among junior and senior secondary students. The commission argued that preserving face‑to‑face instruction is essential for both academic achievement and character building.
To balance energy efficiency with educational standards, the commission proposed a blended‑learning model comprising 70 % in‑class sessions and 30 % online components, adaptable to local infrastructure conditions. The model could be implemented through zonal plans that allocate digital resources where connectivity permits.
In parallel, legislators suggested redirecting the anticipated fuel savings toward targeted internet subsidies for economically disadvantaged students, teachers and religious‑school staff. They also called for accelerated installation of rooftop solar panels in schools, noting that only 15 % of the nation’s 83 000 madrasas currently use solar energy.
The Ministry of Finance’s minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reiterated that the broader four‑day workweek and occasional work‑from‑anywhere (WFA) policies remain in force, aiming to cut national fuel use by roughly one‑fifth. He cautioned that extending remote work beyond a single day could affect productivity and morale.
Economic coordinator Airlangga Hartarto confirmed coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Manpower to operationalize the four‑day work schedule after the upcoming Lebaran holidays. The government expects the measure to ease traffic congestion, lower emissions and reduce fuel imports amid global supply disruptions.
Energy experts linked the policy push to the recent volatility in global oil markets caused by the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. confrontation, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and lifted European gas prices by 35 % in March. Indonesia’s effort to curb domestic fuel consumption reflects a strategic response to external price shocks.
While the cancellation of mandatory online schooling satisfies the education sector’s demand for quality assurance, the government maintains that selective digital learning and energy‑saving work arrangements will continue to evolve. Authorities plan to monitor fuel savings and educational outcomes before scaling any further remote‑learning initiatives.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
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