Air Quality Worsens, School Students in Central Kalimantan Switch to Online Learning Starting Today
The Education Office of Central Kalimantan Province has officially implemented distance learning for educational units affected by haze from forest and land fires.
The policy was adopted as a measure to protect the health and safety of students amid air quality conditions classified as unhealthy to hazardous.
Head of the Central Kalimantan Provincial Education Office, Muhammad Reza Prabowo, explained that the implementation of learning is adjusted to conditions in each respective area. Schools whose areas are exposed to haze with an Air Pollutant Standard Index in the very unhealthy and hazardous categories are directed to carry out distance learning.
“The implementation of learning must adjust to the environmental conditions of the educational unit. When haze has already impacted the health and safety of students, distance learning becomes a necessary step to ensure education services continue to run,” said Reza on Monday, 31 August 2026.
The policy is set out in Central Kalimantan Governor Circular Letter Number 400.3.13.1/4747/DISDIK.SET.03/2026 concerning the Provision of Education Services at Educational Units in Areas Affected by Forest and Land Fire Haze. The circular is addressed to all heads of senior high schools, vocational high schools, and special schools throughout Central Kalimantan.
Under the circular, distance learning takes effect from 31 August 2026. Teaching and learning activities continue to be carried out according to each educational unit’s schedule by teachers from the respective schools.
Reza stressed that distance learning does not mean educational activities are halted. Students’ right to receive education services continues to be fulfilled with adjusted methods.
For its implementation, learning activities begin at 08.00 WIB with a lesson duration of 30 minutes per teaching hour.
Specifically for vocational or productive subjects at the vocational high school level, practical activities are temporarily converted into theory. Meanwhile, for special schools, the learning process is adjusted to students’ needs, whether online or offline.
In addition to regulating the learning mechanism, the Central Kalimantan Education Office also asks educational units to involve parents or guardians in supervising children during distance learning at home. Students are advised not to engage in activities outside the home while air quality has not improved.