Schools in Palembang, the capital of Indonesia’s South Sumatra province, have transitioned to remote learning as thick haze from ongoing forest and peatland fires pushes air pollution to unhealthy levels. This measure affects more than 250,000 students across 1,030 schools.
Mayor Ratu Dewa stated that the decision was made to prioritize students' health and safety, citing risks of acute respiratory infections. The remote learning policy will be continuously reviewed, with in-person classes set to resume once air quality improves. Teachers have been advised to limit assignments during this period.
This situation adds to disruptions affecting over 1.4 million students nationwide. Approximately 12,800 schools on Sumatra and Borneo islands remain closed due to persistently dangerous air quality, according to government data. Save the Children reported that the haze, intensified by an El Nino pattern and prolonged dry season, is forcing a significant number of students into online learning.
"The Earth, our home, is on fire, and children, including here in Asia, are being left to bear the consequences," said Arshad Malik, Save the Children’s regional director for Asia, highlighting the crisis as one impacting child rights.
Large-scale fires have consumed thousands of hectares in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra regions. Central Kalimantan is currently the most affected area, with satellite data from Wednesday showing 2,459 hot spots. South Sumatra recorded 1,445 hot spots, and West Kalimantan had 928.
Indonesian authorities are intensifying firefighting efforts, with support from aircraft provided by several Southeast Asian countries and international partners including Japan, the United States, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine. Between January and July, more than 202,000 hectares of land have burned, an area nearly three times the size of Singapore.