AMBENO (TOP) - The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of State Administration (MAE) have suspended in-person classes across the entire national territory from 15 to 17 October 2026, due to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke from Indonesia.
According to a press release from the two ministries, the suspension covers public, private and cooperative schools, from pre-school through general secondary and technical-vocational education.
The decision is based on information from the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG). As The Oekusi Post reported on 12 October, the DNMG confirmed that from 6 to 12 October, the automatic stations at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, Comoro and Kaikoli recorded poor air quality. According to the DNMG, winds carried smoke containing pollutant particles to the island of Timor, and local land burning may also be contributing to the situation.
In Indonesia itself, the Ministry of Forestry reported 793 high-confidence hotspots on 11 October, up from 437 on 9 October.
The two ministries said exposure to these particles can threaten public health, especially for students, children, youth and teachers. The suspension is therefore a preventive measure to protect the safety of the school community.
The DNMG said air quality improved slightly from 13 October, but that this is temporary. On 16 and 17 October, winds will again carry smoke from Indonesia to the island of Timor, and this period coincides with the season when farmers burn their fields in Timor-Leste. The DNMG will continue to monitor air quality.
Learning at home
During the suspension, schools may use alternative modalities for pedagogical support, following guidance from the competent services. School directors and education leaders must ensure that teachers prepare and assign homework to students. 14 October is to be used as a day of preparation and guidance for students on learning at home.
Recommendations for the community
The two ministries recommend:
- children should not leave the house when not necessary;
- do not do physical activities outdoors;
- use adequate respiratory protection masks when going out is necessary;
- close doors and windows when pollutant concentrations are high;
- do not burn garbage or other materials that may increase pollution.
The DNMG also urges the public to seek medical assistance if they have difficulty breathing. The most vulnerable groups are children, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses.
Return to classes
Schools must prepare a specific plan to resume teaching and learning, which can be implemented through teachers’ working groups on Saturday, 17 October 2026. [In-person classes will resume on Monday, 19 October, to be confirmed with the ministries.]
School directors of public schools and schools in the public service network must ensure that this notice is shared with students, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and the entire educational community.
For schools not integrated into the public network and for international schools, the two ministries recommend seriously considering the health and safety of children and making appropriate decisions in line with the guidance in this notice.
Read also: Smoke from Indonesia spreads to Timor-Leste
