This research was carried out after the implementation of online learning policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was associated with various obstacles in the learning process. The research was conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim (UIN Suska) in Riau. The objectives of this research were: 1) to determine how online learning policies were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 2) to examine the barriers to implementing these policies. This study used qualitative descriptive methods and Van Meter and Van Horn’s policy implementation models. The findings indicated that the online learning policies were successfully implemented, even though they were not optimally carried out. The barriers to implementation were inadequate connectivity speeds, lack of enthusiasm and response from students during the learning process, the increasing burden of internet quota, and unfavorable environmental conditions.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, implementation, online learning