Pekanbaru, (Antarariau.com) - The Siak district administration in Riau Province, has decided to shut around 210 schools for two days (Feb 11-12) due to the haze coming from forest and plantation fires.
"A total of 210 schools are being kept closed because the haze is getting thicker and may cause harm to children," Head of the Siak education office Kadri Yafis stated on Tuesday.
The schools, consisting of elementary, junior and senior high schools, are located across 13 sub-districts in Siak district.
However, the sixth, ninth and 12th grade students will continue with studies because of the fast approaching final examinations. But the starting time of the schools have been postponed from 7 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
"Usually, during the day the smog diminishes," he explained.
The schools will operate normally, only in Kandis sub-district, since the area has not been affected by the haze.
The Siak Environmental Agency (BLH) added that the condition of the air is currently at a dangerous level due to the haze.
In the Bunga Raya sub-district, where a number of hotspots were detected, the visibility was only 50 meters on Tuesday morning due to the haze.
