Banjarmasin education agency: Forest fire haze does not yet require remote learning

Banjarmasin, Indonesia, will not be implementing remote learning policies despite the onset of haze from forest and land fires (karhutla), according to the city's Education Agency head, Ryan Utama. The decision comes as the haze has begun to be felt in the region this week.

While acknowledging a thin haze has started to cover Banjarmasin, Ryan Utama stated that the situation does not warrant a shift to distance learning. The agency is prioritizing student and educator health. To ensure a conducive environment, the Education Agency has coordinated with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and school supervisors across sub-districts.

According to BPBD monitoring, the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) in Banjarmasin is currently at 29, which falls within the "good" category. School supervisors have also reported that the school environment remains conducive, with no accounts of thick haze disrupting teaching and learning activities. "Based on the BPBD's monitoring data, issuing a PJJ policy is not yet deemed necessary," Ryan stated.

Despite not enforcing remote learning, schools are instructed to monitor the situation daily, particularly in the morning. The agency is prepared to make adjustments, such as delaying school start times, if the haze thickens and poses difficulties for parents transporting students. Currently, schools are advised to limit outdoor activities, keeping students indoors during class hours. Mask-wearing is mandatory for all school personnel, with masks being distributed in cooperation with local health centers.