{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1914809,
        "msgid": "forest-fires-worsen-government-opens-option-to-close-schools-1786524654",
        "date": "2026-08-12 15:28:00",
        "title": "Forest Fires Worsen, Government Opens Option to Close Schools",
        "author": "Gana Buana",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian government is considering temporary school closures in regions severely affected by forest and land fires if air quality is deemed hazardous to health. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated the policy would be situational, granting local authorities the flexibility to suspend teaching activities based on real-time conditions. The government is also ensuring logistical support for firefighting efforts remains unhindered amid extreme dry weather caused by the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon.",
        "content": "<p>The government is opening the option to close schools in areas\naffected by forest and land fires (karhutla) if smoke conditions are\ndeemed hazardous to health. State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg)\nPrasetyo Hadi stressed that this policy is situational and adjusted to\nthe actual conditions in each region.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, of course, we will look at the situation. Including, not only\nschool children,\u201d Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday\n(12\/8).<\/p>\n<p>Prasetyo explained that coordination regarding adjustments to\nteaching and learning activities has been carried out with the\nCoordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK). The\ncentral government is giving local authorities the flexibility to take\ntactical steps if the situation on the ground requires a temporary halt\nto school activities.<\/p>\n<p>This tactical policy has previously been applied in other sectors,\nsuch as the operational closure of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park\ndue to fires. Prasetyo emphasised that permission is granted to those\nwho best understand field conditions so that handling the impact of\nforest and land fires can run effectively.<\/p>\n<p>To date, the central government continues to monitor developments in\nthe regions. \u201cWe are monitoring, none have closed yet. We will try to\ncheck with the Coordinating Minister and the Minister of Primary and\nSecondary Education,\u201d Prasetyo added regarding the current status of\nschool activities in forest fire red zones.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the government is ensuring that logistical and\nadministrative support for firefighting is not hampered. The main\nchallenge at present is the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon, which is triggering\nextreme dry weather, as seen in the Bromo area where fire hotspots\nremain difficult to extinguish.<\/p>\n<p>The government is also urging the public to be proactive in\npreventing new fire hotspots by not discarding cigarette butts\ncarelessly or clearing land by burning. Cooperation between the TNI,\nPolri, volunteers, and the community is expected to accelerate the\ncontrol of forest and land fires in various regions.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forest-fires-worsen-government-opens-option-to-close-schools-1786524654",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}