Pekanbaru Extends Online Learning for Students Due to Haze
The Pekanbaru city government has extended distance learning (PJJ) for all early childhood, kindergarten, primary and junior secondary school students due to haze from forest and land fires (karhutla).
Acting Head of the Pekanbaru Education Department, Abdul Jamal, said the extension of the online learning system was decided after considering the hazardous air quality in Pekanbaru caused by the haze.
“After considering this, it was decided to extend distance learning or online learning,” Abdul Jamal said on Tuesday (25/8).
He explained that online learning would be extended for the next three days while the city government monitors air quality conditions.
“It will be extended for the next three days. While we observe air quality updates,” he said.
For education units, he urged schools to implement online learning in a simple, effective manner that does not burden students, while ensuring the learning process continues as it should.
“Parents or guardians are asked to ensure children remain indoors and do not play or carry out activities outside the home to avoid exposure to haze. If forced to go outside, they should wear masks,” he said.
Regarding the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), he said schools would contact parents or guardians of students to collect the meals at school.
“Collection of MBG meals is carried out by parents or guardians and is not permitted to be done by students, so that the meals can still be received and consumed by students at home,” he said.
Air quality in Pekanbaru has been reported at hazardous levels due to haze from forest and land fires in Riau. From Monday (24/8) evening until 06:00 WIB on Tuesday (25/8), historical data on PM2.5 particulate matter pollution concentration on the official BMKG website showed air quality remained at hazardous levels, ranging from 508.8 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) to 328.9 µg/m³ at 06:00 on Tuesday (25/8).
“We feel like we are choking and finding it difficult to breathe because everything (indoors and outdoors) smells of smoke,” said Yola, a Pekanbaru resident.
Air quality in Pekanbaru has reached hazardous levels due to haze from forest and land fires. The Health Department has recorded hundreds of acute respiratory infection (ISPA) cases and urged residents to remain vigilant.
The Indonesian Association of Lung Doctors for Riau Region urged Pekanbaru residents to wear masks when carrying out outdoor activities to anticipate the haze.
The Pekanbaru Health Department recorded 376 cases of acute respiratory infection (ISPA) resulting from the impact of haze from forest and land fires since early August 2026.
Flight operations at Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru remained normal on Tuesday (18/8), although visibility was briefly limited in the morning.
President Prabowo expressed appreciation for all personnel involved in handling disasters and extreme weather conditions in various regions of Indonesia.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni stated that efforts would be made to handle forest and land fire disasters in Jambi Province through Weather Modification Operations (OMC).
The Pontianak City Health Department recorded a 5-10 percent increase in ISPA cases over the past week due to haze from forest and land fires. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant.
Sarolangun Regency has become the area with the highest number of hotspots in Jambi Province based on BMKG monitoring.
Forest and land fire standby patrol members are working to anticipate and prevent the spread of forest and land fires.