Education Ministry Issues Emergency Learning Protocol Amid Forest and Land Fires

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti will update a ministerial circular to reinforce the emergency learning protocol for haze caused by forest and land fires. This reflects the ministry’s commitment to ensuring safe, adaptive learning and safeguarding pupils’ right to education following the forest and land fires in Kalimantan.

Mu’ti outlined three principles in response to the situation. First, the safety of the school community is the top priority. Second, pupils’ right to learn must not be interrupted. Third, post-disaster recovery must be planned from the outset.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is ready to move quickly together with all relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that all pupils affected by the forest and land fires do not lose their right to learn and continue to engage in effective, adaptive and efficient learning,” Mu’ti said in a statement on Saturday.

Based on data compiled by the National Disaster Management Agency and the Basic Education Data system as of 11 August 2026, the forest and land fires have exposed a considerable number of schools. Several regencies and cities have already implemented distance learning schemes.

Distance learning is being carried out by 3,524 education units covering 571,338 pupils, including areas under the Provincial Government of West Kalimantan, the City Government of Pontianak, the Regency Government of Kubu Raya, the Regency Government of Kayong Utara, the City Government of Palangka Raya, the Regency Government of East Kotawaringin, and the City Government of Banjarbaru.

In responding to the forest and land fires, Mu’ti urged head teachers, supervisors, mentors and inspectors to ensure the distance learning process runs smoothly. Head teachers hold full control over the implementation and supervision of distance learning.

“Supervisors, mentors and inspectors at each education unit are tasked with helping to monitor and provide guidance to support efforts to tackle the haze and ensure the smooth running of the learning process,” Mu’ti said.

Meanwhile, based on a circular from the Banjarbaru City Education Office dated 21 August 2026, the City Government of Banjarbaru has established a number of measures to address the forest and land fire disaster. Through the circular, all education units will implement distance learning from 24 to 28 August 2026. Educators and education staff will continue to carry out their duties at schools according to working hours, with adjusted tolerance for lateness.

“The distance learning schedule will follow normal learning hours starting at 07.30 WITA,” Mu’ti said.

The ministry will also activate Forest and Land Fire Emergency Education Posts in five priority provinces, implement daily learning status reporting through the Basic Education Data system, and distribute assistance in the form of medical masks and health packages to affected education units.

Until the end of September, the ministry will continue to monitor the situation based on the daily Air Pollutant Standard Index.

“To support the continuity of the learning process, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is providing learning modules, preparing haze-safe classrooms in designated schools in each affected sub-district, preparing psychosocial services, and allowing flexibility in the use of School Operational Assistance funds for emergency haze needs,” Mu’ti said.