Schools in South Kalimantan Instructed to Implement Health Protocols Amid Forest Fire and Haze Impacts
Forest and land fires (karhutla) in South Kalimantan Province continue to spread, causing a decline in air quality due to haze. The South Kalimantan Education Office has issued a circular requiring schools to implement strict health protocols.
In circular number 9 of 2026, signed by the Head of the South Kalimantan Education Office, Abdul Rahim, on 18 August 2026, all education units (schools) are instructed to adjust educational activities to the haze conditions caused by the forest and land fires.
“Learning activities or educational activities must adjust to conditions on the ground by implementing health protocols,” said Abdul Rahim on Thursday (20/8).
School communities are asked to wear masks. Outdoor school activities such as sports, ceremonies and extracurricular activities are to be reduced, and if the haze conditions worsen, schools may implement distance learning (online).
The forest and land fires affecting several areas in South Kalimantan are increasingly widespread. The worst-affected areas include Banjarbaru City, Banjar Regency, Tanah Laut and Hulu Sungai Selatan. Dozens of schools and Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) are located in areas prone to forest and land fires and haze. Nevertheless, school activities in South Kalimantan are still running normally.
Similarly, the Head of the South Kalimantan Health Office, Diauddin, said that the forest and land fire conditions and haze have triggered an increase in public health problems, including acute respiratory infections (ISPA) and pneumonia. His office has also issued a circular regarding the implementation of health protocols for the public.
On Wednesday (19/8), the air quality index based on PM2.5 particulates reached 420, or hazardous conditions, in the Banjarbaru City area, especially from early morning until around 08.00 WITA.
“We urge residents to wear masks and reduce outdoor activities, especially in areas affected by haze. We also continue to distribute masks, including to schools and Islamic boarding schools,” he said.
On Thursday (20/8), the Banjarbaru City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) distributed thousands of masks to residents in areas blanketed by haze, such as the Landasan Ulin area. This area has become the worst affected by haze due to the burning of surrounding peatland areas. The haze has also disrupted flight activities and traffic flow in areas near Syamsudin Noor Airport on several occasions.