Minister: School Closures Due to Forest Fires Are Situational
State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said the government has stated that the policy of closing schools due to the impact of forest and land fires (karhutla) is situational and adjusted to conditions in each respective region.
He mentioned that the Palace has coordinated with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno regarding measures to handle the impact of forest and land fires, including adjustments to school activities if conditions on the ground are deemed dangerous.
“If it is felt on the ground that adjustments are needed, then we have no problem with that. So it is adjusted to the conditions in each respective region,” said Prasetyo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday.
According to him, decisions regarding school activities need to consider conditions in each region. The government grants authority to parties who understand the conditions on the ground to take tactical steps as needed.
“Yes, of course, we look at the situation on the ground,” he said.
He stressed that handling forest and land fires is a priority. The central government has coordinated with various parties to ensure that handling needs on the ground, both administratively and logistically, do not become obstacles.
Dry weather conditions due to the El Niño phenomenon are one of the challenges in the extinguishing process. Therefore, Prasetyo expressed appreciation to all parties involved in handling forest and land fires, from the TNI, Polri, volunteers to the community.
In addition to extinguishing, the government is urging the public to prevent the emergence of new fire spots. The public is asked not to discard cigarette butts and matches carelessly and to avoid clearing land by burning.
According to him, handling forest and land fires requires cooperation from all parties so that fires can be extinguished promptly while preventing the spread of new fire spots.
He added that adjustments to activities can also be made for other activities affected by forest and land fires. Previously, the operations of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park were also temporarily closed due to conditions on the ground.
“Not only school children, like Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park yesterday was also operationally closed. That is just situational. It means tactically on the ground we give permission to colleagues who truly understand the conditions on the ground,” Prasetyo added.