Smoke from Karhutla Worsens, Government Opens Option to Disband Schools

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. (Photo: Presidential Press Office)

JAKARTA - The government is open to closing schools in areas affected by forest and land fires or karhutla. The decision will be handed over according to the conditions in each region.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that the option had been discussed with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno.

"If it is felt in the field to be adjusted, we have no problem adjusting it to the conditions in each region," said Prasetyo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 12.

However, the government has so far not received reports of schools that have been closed due to forest fires.

"We haven't monitored it yet. Later we will try to check with the Coordinating Minister and the Minister of Education and Culture," he said.

According to Prasetyo, policies such as school closures are situational. Similar steps can also be applied to other facilities if the field conditions require it.

He gave an example of the closure of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park due to a fire.

"It's just situational. It means tactical on the ground and we give permission to friends who really understand the conditions on the ground," he said.

The central government, said Prasetyo, has coordinated with various parties to ensure that the handling of the forest fire is not hampered by administration or logistics.

He also asked the public to avoid activities that could cause new fire points, including throwing cigarette butts carelessly and opening land by burning.