Batam - The face-to-face learning process for Junior High School (SMP) equivalent in Batam, Riau Islands is starting to be implemented shortly.

Batam Education Office (Disdik) said that currently 80 schools have applied for the opening of face-to-face learning activities.

Head of Batam Disdik, Hendri Arulan said of the 63 schools that have been verified, 53 of them have met the requirements.

"If they meet the requirements, it means that their requirements are complete, I have also reported it to the mayor," said Hendri at the Batam Mayor's Office, Wednesday (24/2/2021).

Of the 53 schools, there are 26 public schools and 27 private schools. The rest were not verified, Hendri explained that this was because they were still in process.

"This is still in the process of verification, later when they meet the requirements, we will recommend them again, we will issue the face-to-face permit," he said.

Regarding the verification team, Hendri said that it consisted of the Batam Disdik, Batam Health Service (Dinkes), the Education Board, and the local Police.

The school verification process is in accordance with the Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) 4 on Guidelines for the Implementation of Learning in the Even Semester of the Academic Year and Academic Year 2020/2021 during the Covid-19 Pandemic.