ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Indonesian Government advised to begin to open the school for offline learning with strict COVID-19 prevention protocol in early September 2021. However, this policy may cause parents to feel anxious and concerned about their children’s health during face-to-face learning. The previous research has focused on parents’ perspectives and readiness toward their children’s digital use in general, leaving their beliefs, attitudes, and readiness concerning offline learning in the COVID-19 pandemic unexplored. AIM: This study aimed to identify knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward children’s offline learning among parents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data using Survey Monkey. The sample in this study was parents who had children aged 6–12-years-old and willing to participate in this study. A linear regression model was employed to find readiness-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 800 (response rate was 80%) participants participated in the study. The average age was 34 (SD = 12.3), 60% were female and 54% worked in the public sector. Participants had an average knowledge score of 10.3 (SD = 3.27, with a range of 0–13), parental attitudes concerning the advantages and disadvantages of offline schooling versus online learning were 3.88 (SD = 0.12), the belief was 3.78 (SD = 0.89), and the readiness score was 3.45 (SD = 0.89). Attitude (β = 3.04 and p = 0.001) and belief (β = 2.89 and p = 0.001) were the factors associated with readiness to offline learning outbreak COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the implementation of offline learning during the pandemic has been a positive response by families. Individuals may also benefit from targeted health education programs to strengthen COVID-19 knowledge, belief, and preparation for offline learning during pandemic COVID-19.