Schools in Pontianak still holding online lessons as haze remains thick

Schools in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, are still implementing online learning because the haze remains thick and air quality is considered dangerous, even though rain has fallen across several areas.

“Although Pontianak has been hit by fairly evenly distributed rain, the haze is still thick and air conditions remain dangerous,” said Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono in Pontianak on Monday.

The Pontianak city government continues to monitor weather conditions and air quality before deciding to resume in-person learning.

“So we are still observing the situation. If it improves, we will reopen schools normally,” he said.

According to Edi, current weather conditions still need to be monitored, as reports from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicate the region remains in a dry season at a fairly high level.

“According to BMKG reports, we are still in a period of significant drought,” he said.

He explained that rain effective enough to help resolve the haze and peatland fires must have sufficient intensity to thoroughly soak the ground surface and peatlands.

“And we still do not know what the planned rainfall will be like. The most effective scenario is rain that can soak the earth and the peatlands,” he said.

As a result, online learning remains the temporary option to protect pupils from smoke exposure until air conditions are declared safer.