What the Education Minister Says About Schools in Forest Fire Areas
Indonesian Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti has delegated the decision-making for school operations in haze-affected areas of Kalimantan to local governments. The ministry is currently prioritizing emergency response efforts for an earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.
Why it matters
The policy reflects the government's attempt to balance student safety during environmental crises with the need for educational continuity.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, has handed over the continuity of teaching and learning activities at schools affected by forest fires in several areas of Kalimantan to local governments. According to him, local governments have the authority to determine learning methods according to the conditions of their regions.“However, in accordance with the standard procedures, we emphasize that the safety and health of students should be a priority,” said Mu’ti when met at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education building in Jakarta on Friday, August 21, 2026.According to Mu’ti, local governments can transition from face-to-face learning to distance learning if the haze poses an increasing health hazard in the area.
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