Ramadan Holiday Debate: Psychologist Warns Home-Based Learning May Impact Student Motivation

Tempo.co, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, announced that the decision concerning the holiday has been finalized and is now awaiting the official joint circular letter (SE). This matter had sparked controversy earlier due to a proposal suggesting a one-month holiday for students in schools and madrasas throughout Ramadan.

"We discussed this matter last night among the ministries, but we will wait to announce the joint circular from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs is issued. We hope that the circular will be released soon," said Minister Abdul Mu'ti after attending the 1st Tanwir Aisyiyah event in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

He stated that an agreement has been reached among the three ministries concerning the school holiday during Ramadan, and the public is now awaiting the official announcement.

"We have discussed this in a cross-ministerial coordination meeting, and an agreement has been reached. Details will be announced in due time," said Abdul Mu'ti, as quoted by Antara.

Psychologist and content creator Amalia Riska discussed the effects children may face with home-based learning. She explained that the learning environment significantly influences students' motivation to learn.

Amalia explained that the learning environment at home differs from that in school. The school setting is specifically designed for learning, while at home, students can complete their tasks in various places. This flexibility can lead to procrastination, as students may not always be in the right mindset for learning due to the more relaxed atmosphere.

"For example, at school, the environment is tailored for learning, featuring desks, chairs, a classroom, and a teacher at the front. However, at home, we have the flexibility to complete our tasks anywhere, even while sitting on the bed," Amalia said in a voice message to Tempo.co on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Amalia also noted that students' social skills could be impacted by home-based learning. She emphasized that social skills are crucial for schoolchildren, even though many may already possess them.

She believes that limited social interaction can lead to various problems, such as miscommunication, difficulties in learning, and even slower task completion.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Amalia noted that remote learning increased online interactions. She explained that this was more exhausting as it required individuals to spend more time looking at their devices.

"Sometimes, feeling at home leads people to hold meetings online and communicate through digital means. This can be more tiring as it requires extended screen time," she said.

Amalia pointed out that stress can occur when a person's needs are not fulfilled. For middle and high school students in their teenage years, one important need is social interaction and the formation of friendships. Home-based learning can make it more challenging for them to achieve this.

"Interaction, playtime, and chatting with friends have decreased. Additionally, stress can be triggered when conversations that used to flow easily with friends become difficult to maintain at home," said Amalia.

Home-based learning can also lead to increased anxiety among students. This anxiety often stems from the uncertainty surrounding their situation. 

One student expressed, “What makes learning at home uncertain is that we don’t know what our friends are doing or how they are coping. Sometimes, this makes us feel anxious because we think we’re the only ones struggling.”

Amalia mentioned that vacations can be a great way to refresh oneself. However, she noted that for some people, it takes time to readjust to regular activities after returning from a long holiday. This readjustment is normal and can usually be overcome quickly. 

“A holiday can be refreshing and relieving, but for some people, especially after an extended break, we need to readjust to our usual routines. However, this is normal and can be resolved quickly,” she explained.

Amalia emphasized the importance of parents maximizing their children's time, especially when the breaks are long. She recommended that parents assist their children in planning activities that are unique to extended holidays. 

"For instance, they could take a short course, travel to a distant city, or participate in challenging sports activities," Amalia said.

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