Haze forces Riau Islands to implement learning from home starting 15 September
The home-based learning will run from 15 September 2026 until air quality improves and is declared safe.
Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands (Kepri) Provincial Government has shifted face-to-face learning for senior high school (SMA), vocational school (SMK) and special needs school (SLB) students to learning from home due to declining air quality triggered by haze in the region.
“This learning from home will begin on 15 September 2026, until the air quality condition improves and is declared safe,” said Riau Islands Provincial Secretary Misni in Tanjungpinang on Tuesday.
Misni said the learning-from-home policy aims to protect the health and safety of school communities from declining air quality that could disrupt public health, particularly SMA/SMK and SLB students across all regencies and cities.
Based on air quality index reports from the regency and city Environmental Agencies (DLH), he said air conditions in Riau Islands currently fall into the unhealthy category.
“The implementation of learning from home will be evaluated periodically, taking into account developments in air quality in Riau Islands,” Misni said.
He added that schools must ensure pupils’ attendance and learning activities remain well documented, including assigning structured tasks and teaching materials appropriate to conditions and the access limitations faced by students in their respective areas.
“School principals must carry out supervision, monitoring and periodic reporting on learning from home, including air quality and the health of school communities, to the Branch Head of the Education Office and the Head of the Riau Islands Education Office,” he said.
Misni further urged parents to accompany and supervise their children during home-based learning, and to limit children’s activities outside the home to avoid direct exposure to the haze.
“Most importantly, wear a mask when leaving the house, maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle, and drink enough water,” Misni said.
According to Kosasih, the situation is exacerbated by weather in Riau Islands dominated by partly cloudy skies with low chances of rain, which is insufficient to help reduce the haze.
He said forest and land fires in Kalimantan are still ongoing, while winds from the southeast to the south can carry smoke towards Riau Islands.
“As long as conditions in Kalimantan remain extensively ablaze, the impact will continue to be felt in Riau Islands,” he said.
Dense haze has enveloped several areas in Riau Islands, such as Tanjungpinang City and Bintan Regency, since Monday (14 September). As a result, air conditions have deteriorated and risk disrupting public health, particularly through acute respiratory infections (ISPA).