Sorong City extends remote learning from Monday as haze persists

Sorong (ANTARA) – The Sorong City Government in Southwest Papua has extended online home learning for all educational institutions in the area from Monday (12 October), as smoke haze conditions have yet to improve.

Sorong Mayor Septinus Lobat said in Sorong on Sunday that the policy was set out in Mayor of Sorong Circular Letter No. 100.3.4.3/1317/2026 on the extension of the learning process during smoke haze conditions within the Sorong City Government area.

“The circular states that the policy was adopted based on a circular from the Indonesian Paediatric Society’s West Papua branch and the latest monitoring by the Sorong Global Atmosphere Watch station, which showed fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations at unhealthy levels,” Septinus said.

He said the measure was intended to prevent health problems among pupils caused by the smoke haze, which is linked to the El Niño phenomenon and forest and land fires.

“Technically, heads of educational institutions have been asked to coordinate with the Sorong City Education Office to arrange how online learning will be conducted,” he said.

Parents and guardians are also required to ensure that children remain at home while online lessons are under way.

“The circular will remain in effect until further notice on developments in the smoke haze conditions in Sorong City,” he said.

He urged all educational institutions, parents and other relevant parties to comply with the rules and implement them responsibly to protect students’ health.