Jakarta. School bells finally have rung once again as the Jakarta Education Agency kicked off the second phase of school reopening on Wednesday.

A total of 143 schools have passed the test and can join the 86 other schools that had already held their limited in-person learning. Cideng 10 Elementary School in Central Jakarta is among the 76 elementary schools to reopen its doors for the first time since the pandemic started. The three-week trial will last until June 26, 2021.

After over a year of remote learning, fourth-grade teacher Joana and her students finally returned to class on Wednesday. About 16 out of 32 students attended the in-person class with desks moved further apart from one another.

Under the government's protocol guideline, classes must slash 50 percent of their capacity to prevent virus transmission. This does not mean students at home can slack off as they still partake in the lessons via video conference.

During class, Joana did not let her guard down.

She strictly limited excessive interactions between students that could potentially violate health protocols. No chatting in class. No taking off the facemask and leaving it hanging around by the chin. No leaving the classroom during recess is also among the class rules.

The government has set an array of conditions for schools participating in the reopening program.

For instance, schools must provide supporting facilities around the school area to prevent Covid-19. All teachers must also have been vaccinated. In addition, students will need their parents' nod to attend in-person classes.

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