With COVID-19 outbreak going rampant in countries such as China, Italy, and South Korea, followed by quarantine in the Philippines and recent lockdown in Malaysia, Indonesia’s clock is ticking in trying to contain the spread. So far, the archipelago has recorded 134 cases, with more expected to come in light.
President Joko Widodo has urged all Indonesians to comply with WHO-standardised prevention measures, which include the introduction of social distancing and immediate quarantine of vulnerable demographics, just like in any other countries. Any large gathering, including schools, are being put on hold for the next two weeks.
This is where tech companies, particularly those that provide online learning platforms, really shine.
In the past year, a great number of investments were pumped into the country’s edutech sector; it almost seems like the outbreak has given them an opportunity to prove their worth.
We received updates from three rising edutech startups in Indonesia about how they are enabling students, who are otherwise confined at home, to continue their learning process.
Quipper
With the endorsement of the Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia Nadiem Makarim to move face-to-face, building-based learnings to e-learning from home for students, Quipper enables students to learn from videos on their platform.
Quipper seeks to provide education for all in Indonesia with services such as Quipper School, Quipper Video, Quipper Video Masterclass, and Quipper Campus, that aims to help students and empower educators.
Quipper joins other educational tech platforms in supporting students in the area where COVID-19 cases exist to help students and teachers keep up with the education system and continue to learn under the parents’ supervision.
Also Read: Online education startup Quipper School enters Indonesian market
The startup commits in giving free access to learning videos and e-exercise on its Learning Management Systems (LMS) platform Quipper School. Content Associate Manager of Quipper Indonesia, Hanani Faiza said, “LMS and free content in Quipper School is our support to the government in maintaining the country’s education system in the face of the emergency, so students aren’t deprived of effective learnings –even remotely.”
With a campaign called #BisaTetapBelajar or #CanKeepLearning, teachers and students are given access to 10,000 videos and 75,000 learning materials for the junior high level to senior high students. With its platform, teachers can also give homework, tests, or tryouts online.
To date, Quipper said it has been used by over six million students and 400,000 teachers across Indonesia.
Zenius
With the postponement of the National Examination (UN) due to the COVID-19 outbreak, edutech company Zenius Education has given free access to 80,000 of its online learning content without exception, in an effort to support the Independent Learning Policy.
This initiative, Zenius said, is meant to facilitate students’ independent study in preparation for the National Examination (UN).
Rohan Monga, Zenius Education Chief Executive Officer, said, “Apart from free access, the majority of our learning videos use the whiteboard format, which requires fewer data. This method is done to facilitate access for all students from grades 1 through 12, enabling them to study independently and prepare for the UN.”
According to the Acting Head of Research and Development at Ministry of Education and Culture, Totok Suprayitno, in Jakarta on Wednesday, March 11, there will be 8.3 million students from 105 education units who will be taking part in the exam this year.
Founded in 2004 by Sabda PS and Medy Suharta, Zenius Education is one of the pioneering edutech platforms in Indonesia. It focusses on helping students to understand concepts and implement scientific reasoning. Zenius’s goal is to produce a generation of Indonesians with an in-depth understanding of science, rather than a generation of memorisers, its official statement said.
Zenius’ offerings are accessible via zenius.net, which provides videos and worksheets for elementary and high school levels. Teachers can also share these learning contents with students and parents through various social media and messenger platforms, such as the WhatsApp group.
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In addition to the free access of their platform, Zenius also prepares open online tryouts that will be held simultaneously on its website and application. The second tryout session will be online on March 26, after the first session was done on March 13.
Throughout 2019, zenius.net was accessed by more than 12.8 million users from rural and urban areas across Indonesia. Recently, Zenius launched the Zenius App, an application-based online learning platform on Google Play and the App Store.
In February, Zenius received US$20 million funding from Northstar Group, and welcomed gojek’s ex-COO Rohan Monga as its new Chief Executive.
Ruangguru
Perhaps one of the most celebrated edutech companies in Indonesia, Ruangguru has also given their bidding into the independent, e-learning initiative urged by the government. Working alongside state-owned mobile operator Telkomsel, Ruangguru offers an internet quota-free e-learning access.
All students, parents, and teachers that are Telkomsel’s data users can access any learning material in its application with 30 GB worth of free quota for 30 days.
Telkomsel President Director, Setyanto Hantoro, said: “As a digital telecommunication company, Telkomsel is the connectivity enabler. In this challenging situation, Telkomsel will strengthen the synergy and collaborate with people with authority to keep moving forward in ensuring connectivity for all and maintain productivity, including in the education sector.”
Ruangguru also launched a free online school programme that allows students to join the remote learning and live teaching session every school day. Starting on Monday, March 16, students can join the programme at 8AM to 12PM local time, choosing from 15 live channels that cover all subjects for the elementary level to the senior high level, led by Master Teachers of Ruangguru.
Then, the students can fill in the questions bank and join free online tryouts.
Also Read: Indonesian edutech startup Ruangguru receives grant from MIT SOLVE programme
Ruangguru also addresses teachers’ need to improve their teaching skills through its online trainings for teachers via its app, accessible for the next one month. Teachers can get their hands on 25o videos and training modules that give basic competency materials in pedagogy and professional field that include class management skills, study plan development, project-based learning implementation, and more.
Ruangguru’s offer in this current situation includes the adjusted price of one month-subscription for only US$3.32 using a discount code.
Back in December last year, Ruangguru confirmed that it has raised a US$150 million Series C funding round led by growth equity company Global Atlantic and venture capital firm GGV Capital.
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Image Credit: Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash
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