The DKI Jakarta Education Office is making significant adjustments to school schedules for Ramadan 2025, aiming to support students during this holy period. This move has raised discussions on balancing educational requirements with religious observances.
Effective March 6, 2025, all public schools under DKI Jakarta will reduce lesson durations, impacting students from elementary through high school. According to acting head Sarjoko, each lesson will be cut by 10 minutes. For high school classes, this means shifting from the usual 45 minutes down to 35 minutes per session. Sarjoko emphasized, "Effective learning hours will be limited by reducing each lesson by 10 minutes, such as high school classes from 45 minutes to 35 minutes," as reported by BeritaNasional.com.
The modifications come as part of the circular issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which aims to create a more accommodating environment for students observing fasting. Sarjoko reassured, "School hours will remain at 6:30 AM, continuing five days per week," ensuring routine consistency amid the changes.
Notably, during the first days of Ramadan, from February 27 to March 5, 2025, students will not attend school but will engage in independent learning. This program allows for flexibility, enabling students to learn from home, places of worship, or community centers based on assignments from their teachers. Sarjoko specified, "Independent learning is carried out by students according to assignments from teachers. This is not Distance Learning,” clarifying the nature of the assignments.
When students return to school on March 6, the focus will shift to include religious practices alongside standard curriculum activities. Authorities are promoting religious engagement, stating, "Encouraged activities include Quran recitation, religious study sessions, or other activities improving faith and good morals," reflecting the education office's commitment to character development. These initiatives aim to enrich students' religious experience during Ramadan.
Importantly, the policy is inclusive. Students from other religions are encouraged to participate in their respective religious activities, ensuring the school environment respects diverse beliefs. This holistic approach aims to cater to students' educational and moral growth during this significant time.
Overall, these adjustments signify DKI Jakarta's awareness and responsiveness to the cultural and religious dynamics of its student population. While aiming to maintain educational standards and the structure of learning, the semester is being adapted to nurture students' faith and moral integrity.
With Ramadan providing opportunities for personal growth and reflection, these modifications aspire to create a supportive learning environment for all students, marking 2025 as notable for education during the holy month. The education office's efforts demonstrate the importance of intertwining religious observance with academic responsibilities, allowing students the best of both worlds during Ramadan.