Students in Pelalawan Required to Wear Masks Due to Forest Fire Haze

The Education Office (Disdik) of Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province, has restricted outdoor school activities due to haze from forest and land fires (Karhutla). In addition, every student is required to wear a mask.

The policy follows the impact of Karhutla haze, which has caused air quality in Pelalawan to decline into the unhealthy category. This condition has inevitably affected teaching and learning activities in schools.

“For outdoor activities such as sports and other activities, they are temporarily not being carried out. Students are also required to wear masks,” said Acting Head of Pelalawan Education Office, Leo Nardo, on Saturday (22/8).

He explained that the policy prohibiting outdoor activities, including the mask requirement, is a measure to reduce exposure to unhealthy air. The situation will continue to be monitored in coordination with relevant agencies, namely the local Education Office and Environmental Agency. However, if air quality continues to deteriorate, the policy will be updated.

“There is no school closure yet. This policy is adaptable to the situation,” he said.

Thus, the learning process continues as normal. Teaching and learning hours also remain the same as before.

“We hope that conditions like this (haze) will pass quickly, so that teaching and learning activities will no longer face restrictions,” he concluded.