Parents' Perceptions of Distance Learning during Covid-19 Pandemic in Rural Indonesia

This study was developed to investigate parents' perceptions and attitudes towards distance learning in response to many schools' closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This research uses a qualitative approach. The research subjects consisted of parents of elementary school students in Gunungsitoli City who were determined by purposive sampling technique, totaling twenty-four people. The data were collected using semi-structured interview techniques and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. This study shows that distance learning or learning from home in a research context takes the form of online and offline learning. For parents, the learning approach implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic emergency must be lived and supported in the absence of other options. Although parents do not have negative perceptions, distance learning has increased the burden on parents or families economically, psychologically, and socially. The lack of parental involvement and support in children's learning process at home is generally due to the lack of time and the inability of parents to become teachers for their children at home. Actions to accompany and support the learning process of children at home are carried out to provide internet packages, help children master the material, and participate in completing assignments or tests given by the teacher. The surprising finding from this study is the decline in learning motivation and cognitive abilities of children. Parents hope that distance learning is not extended in the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year so that children can study again at educational institutions.