Pekanbaru Extends Online Classes as Haze Worsens

August 25, 2026 | 08:13 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pekanbaru City Government of Riau Province has extended online learning for students from preschool (PAUD) to junior high school (SMP) until Friday, August 28, due to worsening air quality caused by haze.

Acting Head of the Pekanbaru City Education Office (Disdik) Abdul Jamal stated that the extension of online learning was regulated through a Circular Letter (SE) concerning Adjustments to Learning Activities Due to Decreasing Air Quality in Pekanbaru City.

"Therefore, to protect students' health from exposure to haze, we have issued a circular regarding adjustments to learning activities due to declining air quality in Pekanbaru City," he said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday, as quoted by ANTARA.

This policy, he continued, was developed in light of the air quality conditions in Pekanbaru City, as observed on Tuesday, August 25, through monitoring of the Air Pollution Standards Index (ISPU), which revealed conditions ranging from unhealthy to dangerous.

Therefore, a circular was issued to all preschool, elementary school, and junior high school heads across Pekanbaru City. It contained five points. First, Distance Learning (PJJ) or online learning activities will resume for three days, from Wednesday to Friday (August 26-28), simply and effectively.

Second, schools/madrasas under the authority of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) and other ministries/institutions in Pekanbaru City are advised to adjust the implementation of learning activities to this activity, while still paying attention to air quality conditions and the health and safety of students.

Third, to strengthen the PJJ system and strategy, school principals are asked to facilitate and ensure that teachers attend the PJJ strengthening mentoring/webinars scheduled by the Pekanbaru City Education Office.

Fourth, parents/guardians are asked to ensure that their children remain indoors and do not play or engage in activities outside to avoid exposure to the haze. If there is an urgent need to leave the house, they should wear a mask.

Fifth, the implementation of subsequent learning activities will be adjusted to developments in air quality conditions in Pekanbaru City based on information from ISPU.

"Regarding the attached circular, we would like to draw the attention of school principals to maximize the provision of assignments or practice at home for students. Furthermore, during PJJ, there will be no free nutritious food deliveries," said Abdul Jamal.

Read: Pekanbaru Haze Cuts Visibility to 2 Kilometers as Air Quality Turns Hazardous

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