Pekanbaru Air Quality Deteriorates, Mayor Extends Remote Learning Until Saturday

Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho has ordered distance learning (PJJ) for pupils at early childhood education (PAUD), kindergarten, primary and junior secondary levels from Wednesday to Saturday, 16-19 September 2026. The decision was taken after air quality in Pekanbaru deteriorated again and was deemed no longer safe for children’s health.

Agung made the policy after chairing an evaluation meeting with the relevant regional apparatus organisations, the head of the Sultan Syarif Kasim II Meteorology Station in Pekanbaru, who is also the BMKG Riau Coordinator, Warjono, S.Si., M.Kom., and consultant pulmonologist Dr. dr. H. Surya Hajar Fitria Dana.

“Starting tomorrow until Saturday, all PAUD, kindergarten, primary and junior secondary schools will carry out distance learning. We took this decision because the air condition is already very unhealthy, especially for children,” said Agung on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

According to data presented at the meeting, the BMKG air quality monitoring figure at 14:00 WIB reached 220, while the Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) was recorded at 243. This condition falls within the very unhealthy category and poses a risk to health.

Agung stressed that this policy does not mean learning is suspended. Children will continue their lessons from home with parental supervision and materials prepared by their schools.

“To the teachers, prepare the lessons well and do not assign tasks that burden children or parents. To parents, we ask you to accompany your children while they undertake distance learning,” he said.

Consultant pulmonologist Dr. dr. H. Surya Hajar Fitria Dana judged that the current air condition is already unhealthy for children. Therefore, the decision to temporarily halt face-to-face learning and move activities to the home was the right step.

“Children should not be overly exposed to air in its current condition. The government’s step of temporarily not bringing children to school and implementing distance learning is appropriate to protect their health,” explained Surya Hajar.

Meanwhile, Warjono, head of the Sultan Syarif Kasim II Meteorology Station in Pekanbaru, explained that smoke haze had reduced visibility in Pekanbaru to less than 1,000 metres.

The BMKG also recorded 29 hotspots in Riau Province, detected in the Indragiri Hulu and Indragiri Hilir areas. However, based on wind direction moving from the southeast and south towards the north, the haze blanketing Pekanbaru is predominantly carried from areas to the south.

“Based on the wind direction, the smoke entering Pekanbaru mostly comes from the south, including from South Sumatra and Jambi,” explained Warjono.

He also explained that, based on current wind patterns, the smoke detected in Singapore is estimated not to originate from Riau. The smoke is more likely carried from South Sumatra, Jambi, or Kalimantan.

Agung reminded the public that although there are currently no fire points in Pekanbaru, people are still prohibited from carrying out open burning.

Vulnerable groups, especially toddlers, children, the elderly, and people with comorbidities, are also asked to reduce activities outside the home. Members of the public who need masks can visit their nearest community health centre (puskesmas).

“Public health, especially children’s, is our number one priority. We will implement distance learning until Saturday. Going forward, air conditions will continue to be monitored and evaluated based on BMKG data, the ISPU, and considerations from health workers,” Agung concluded.