JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—An Indonesian legislature has urged regional governments to temporarily suspend classroom learning. This applies when smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) pushes air pollution to levels that threaten children’s health.

House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X Deputy Chair Lalu Hadrian Irfani made the proposal on Friday, August 21. Haze affected parts of Riau, South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

“The government should consider temporarily closing schools in affected areas, particularly when air quality has reached levels that are unhealthy for children,” Lalu said, as quoted by Berita Nasional.

He said schools could maintain the learning process through online classes or home assignments. Such measures should continue while authorities wait for air quality to improve.

“This policy can serve as a temporary protective measure, while schools continue lessons online or assign work from home where conditions allow,” he said.

Lalu stressed that local governments should not impose closures solely because haze is visible.

Authorities should base decisions on verified air-quality measurements and the intensity and duration of smoke exposure. They should consider recommendations from local health, education and disaster management agencies.

Environmental monitoring figures cited in reports linked to the Environment Ministry recorded PM2.5 concentrations of 48.84 micrograms per cubic meter in Kampar, Riau. 47.39 micrograms per cubic meter was measured in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra.

The reported readings reached 30.16 micrograms per cubic meter in Katingan, Central Kalimantan. There was 26.41 in Pontianak, West Kalimantan; 26.18 in Jambi City; and 17.40 in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.

The publicly available summary did not specify whether the figures represented instantaneous readings or 24-hour averages. That distinction matters when authorities classify air quality.

Indonesia’s air pollution index regulation uses continuous 24-hour PM2.5 measurements.

It places concentrations up to 55.4 micrograms per cubic meter within the conversion range for the “moderate” category. Higher concentrations enter the “unhealthy” range.

The WHO, meanwhile, recommends a much stricter PM2.5 guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic meter as a 24-hour average.

Fine particles can enter deep into the lungs and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular illness.

Children, older people and residents with existing health conditions require particular protection during prolonged smoke events.

Some local administrations have already adjusted learning activities. Pontianak introduced temporary online learning earlier in August after haze reduced air quality, according to ANTARA.

The Environment Ministry has also issued Circular Letter No. 16/2026. This instructs governors, regents and mayors nationwide to prevent land clearing by fire and strengthen wildfire controls.

The measure covers prevention, monitoring, law enforcement and public protection as dry conditions increase the risk of further fires.

School closures should be temporary and kept under regular review to keep students safe and to minimize educational disruption.