Contingency plans in place if haze worsens during exam period, says Education Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Contingency plans are in place if the haze worsens during the crucial year-end examination period, says Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

He said the Cabinet was seriously concerned with the haze but that it has a special task force to deal with any situation.

"We have to monitor the schools especially those in Form 5 and Form 6 who are in their last lap to face examinations.

"Our committee will meet every week to discuss the contingency plan.

"We have plan A...Plan B...Plan C..and see what happens if it continue until the SPM examination period," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Monday.

Schools that were closed in several states on Monday will continue to be closed Tuesday as the air quality shows little improvement.

The closure will affect a total of 1,909, 842 students and 3, 029 schools nationwide.

Asked if action will be taken against private school who are still operating despite the order, Mahdzir said all schools that were operating with the Ministry's license should also be closed.

"Sometimes when it is near the examination period, some school principals had requested to proceed with school operations.

"As long as it is agreed upon by the school management and the parents, it is alright.

"We do not want students to be forced to go to school," he said.