Pekanbaru Reintroduces Online Learning Due to Haze

Pekanbaru (ANTARA) – The Pekanbaru City Education Department in Riau Province has again introduced distance learning, or online classes, for two days, Wednesday and Thursday (14–15 October), because of air-quality conditions caused by smoke from forest and land fires.

Acting Pekanbaru Education Department head Abdul Jamal said the policy applies to public and private schools providing early childhood and kindergarten education, as well as primary and junior-secondary education and their equivalents in the city.

“Schools and madrasas under the authority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs or other ministries and agencies are urged to adjust their learning arrangements, taking into account air quality and pupils’ health and safety,” he said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday evening.

The policy is set out in Pekanbaru City Education Department Circular No. 400.3/Disdik.Sekretaris.1/3358/2026 on adjustments to learning activities in the city, issued on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

The circular says the decision refers to Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Circular No. 20 of 2026 on the provision of education services at schools in areas affected by smoke from forest and land fires.

“Learning arrangements are being adjusted with due regard to air quality and pupils’ health and safety,” Abdul Jamal said.

The department also said schools facing difficulties with electricity access or internet connectivity may teach pupils using home-based assignment modules.

Pekanbaru’s Education Department had previously resumed face-to-face classes on Monday (12 October), after rain over the preceding weekend improved the city’s air quality. The week before that, remote learning had been in place for five days because of the haze.