Karhutla Worsens, High School Students In Riau Asked To Learn Online

PEKANBARU - The Riau Province Education Office (Disdik) has issued a circular related to the teaching and learning process (PBM) related to the smog disaster caused by forest and land fires (karhutla). The circular number 420/Disdik/2.0/2023/26550 is aimed at all SMA, SMK, and SLB in Riau Province. The letter was issued based on considerations of the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) in several Regions of the Regency/City in Riau Province which currently show air quality with unhealthy levels. Head of the Riau Province Education Office, Kamsol, revealed that Disdik Riau asked all Heads of the SMA/SMK/SLB Education Units of the State and Private Sector to carry out PBM online (in the network) starting Monday (9/10/2023), against areas whose air quality is unhealthy. The implementation of PBM from home is regulated by units of education. "The areas whose air quality is very unhealthy will hold online learning from home," said Kamsol Monday 9 October. Furthermore, the Riau Disdik also appealed to students, teachers, and educators to maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle as well as always wear masks when doing activities outside the home and reduce the activities of students outside the home. "If the standard index of air pollution in each district/city improves, the teaching and learning process will be carried out in schools as usual or offline," he added.

Confirmed separately, the Head of SMA Negeri 22 Tambang, Kampar Regency, Bujang, confirmed the move and stated that online PBM will be held until Tuesday. "Yes, seeing the weather conditions, we will carry out online PBM at SMA 2 Tambang until Tuesday," he said.