Ministry leaving it to experts on when to close schools

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will leave it to experts to decide on the haze levels that should lead to school closure.

Under current regulations, no outdoor activity is allowed in schools when the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings hit 150 (unhealthy). Schools are closed when it reaches 200 (very unhealthy).

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid agreed that these levels needed to be looked at again.

He will be seeking the advice of a review team which will include experts from MetMalaysia along with the health, environment and education ministries.

“We are leaving it to them to make a decision,” said Mahdzir at the Teacher Training Institute in Lembah Pantai yesterday.

Over 1.5 million students were affected by yesterday’s closure of 2,045 schools in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The ruling also affected international schools.

Mahdzir defended the eleventh hour decision on Monday night which left some parents fuming.

He pointed out the decision was made at 11.30pm when API readings were at 195 and were expected to rise further.

“We cannot plan when the haze happens. It’s almost like a natural disaster. If it could be planned I would make the announcement (about the closures) at 6pm for the convenience of these parents.”

Mahdzir said the ministry would announce when schools will reopen and urged parents to monitor news reports for latest developments.

The ministry is also closely monitoring API readings in Perak, Pahang and Terengganu which were also rising.

A circular on hot weather precautions – drinking adequate water and using masks – has been issued to protect students in the three states. The ministry is also mulling on whether to order replacement classes for yesterday’s closure.

In Alor Gajah, 313 schools in Malacca were closed after air pollutant levels neared the very unhealthy level yesterday.

“We are waiting for further directives from the ministry to keep the schools closed after Sept 16 if the API remains unhealthy,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said.

One parent Low Sai May, 36 said the Education Ministry should not wait for the API to hit 200 before deciding to close.

“This is a question of children’s health. The decision to close should be made once it reaches 150,” she said.

In Johor Baru, the state Education Department directed all schools to refrain from conducting outdoor lessons and activities. Its director Aminnudin Adam said they were keeping tabs on the API readings on an hourly basis and updating the schools on the situation.