Indonesian schools shift online as haze crisis deepens
Schools in Palembang switched to remote learning as worsening haze from forest and peatland fires pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels. Over 1.4 million students across Indonesia have been affected by the disruptions. The smoke has spread to the Philippines and Malaysia, creating a regional health crisis.
The current fire season has been intensified by El Nino and a lack of rain, leading to unusually severe smoke. This pollution has drifted over 800 kilometers to the Philippines and prompted an emergency alert in a Malaysian town on Borneo.
Within Palembang, the new directive impacts about 250,000 pupils at 1,030 institutions, spanning kindergarten through junior high. Mayor Ratu Dewa cited the danger of respiratory infections as the primary reason, and requested that educators refrain from heavy workloads during this temporary shift.
The shift to remote learning could exacerbate educational disparities if internet access is uneven among households. Parents may face increased childcare responsibilities, while prolonged exposure to toxic air could strain local healthcare systems. Regionally, the recurring nature of these fires may intensify diplomatic tensions over cross-border pollution and potentially impact agricultural productivity and tourism across Southeast Asia.