The spread of COVID-19 across the globe has led to a change significant across all facets of life. In Indonesia, the government responded to the emergency condition with a stay-at-home policy followed by the released of large-scale social restrictions regulations. In the education sector, learning activities have evolved into virtual learning activities by utilizing the latest information technology.

In accordance with Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture Circular No. 4/2020, the implementation of this virtual learning is carried out by considering access and the learning facilities at the student’s home. Furthermore, national exams, competency examinations for vocational school were cancelled in favor of other elements of scoring. The Indonesian Directorate General of Higher Education also issued Circular Letter No. 1/2020 which explains that the implementation of learning, research and community service is to be carried out online, via remote office, or to be rescheduled in regards to the pandemic situation. Meanwhile, student activities, grand ceremonies such as graduation, and other non-academic activities are also postponed to reduce mobility and the gathering of crowds.

On June 2020, the government implemented the new normal policy which opened up for some economic sector. School activities continued to be conducted online but with the aid of learning internet quotas from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture for all students and teachers, though some activities could then be carried out face-to-face with the implementation of strict Health protocols. For example, practical activities and exams for GDVET partner schools were carried out on a scheduled per batch basis to avoid crowds and the risk of spreading COVID-19.

In order to ensure that the Indonesian education sector were not left behind by other countries, the Ministry of Education and Culture officially and massively implemented the “Merdeka Belajar” (Study Free) program, which aims to bring out the potential of teachers and students to innovate and explore knowledge according to their interests and talents, while also improving the quality of learning independently. The state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly became a catalyst in accelerating the implementation of this program.