School Start Times in Banjarbaru Pushed Back as Haze from Forest Fires Worsens
Haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, has grown increasingly severe as of Thursday (20/8). The Banjarbaru City Education Office has issued an official circular regarding school start times.
Starting Thursday, 20 August 2026, students in Banjarbaru will begin school at 09.00 WITA. Meanwhile, areas experiencing particularly heavy haze have been asked to make situational adjustments.
“Educational units may begin learning activities at 09.00 WITA for affected schools,” said Head of the Banjarbaru Education Office, Abdul Basid, on Thursday (20/8).
He explained that the circular, numbered 400.35./1738/P.SMP/Disdik and dated 19 August, takes effect from Thursday (20/8) until the haze subsides. The measure was taken to ensure students can pursue their education under better conditions.
The instruction applies to schools under the Banjarbaru Education Office, namely early childhood education (PAUD-TK), primary schools (SD), and junior secondary schools (SMP). Basid stressed that teaching staff may still report to school according to the established working hours, arriving earlier than the school start time.
“Teaching staff and educators should carry out their duties according to the designated working hours,” he said.
Basid asked every school principal to continue monitoring forest and land fire incidents while mitigating haze within school grounds, so that teaching and learning can proceed smoothly.
Banjarbaru is one of the areas experiencing severe haze. Thick smoke has blanketed the city since morning, reducing visibility for motorists.
In addition, the thick haze covering Banjarbaru has also affected residents’ respiratory systems. As a result, the public and students have been urged to wear masks when leaving their homes.
One parent, Firman, said his child has been wearing a mask to school since last week, and he has also prohibited his children from spending long periods outside the home.
“Masks have been mandatory since last week. If there is no urgent need, we do not allow the children to leave the house,” he said.
He hopes the haze blanketing Banjarbaru will soon dissipate and the forest and land fire cases will come to an end. In recent weeks, his child has experienced coughing and shortness of breath due to the fires.
“Hopefully it ends soon. It is a pity for the affected children. Coughing and even shortness of breath — the haze is quite severe compared to previous years,” he said.