Haze: 16 schools in Rompin ordered to close

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Sixteen schools in Rompin, Pahang were ordered to close due to the haze, says the Education Ministry.

It said that as at 10am Thursday (Sept 12), the Pahang Education Department received reports of closures involving one secondary school and 15 primary schools.

The schools involved were SMK Sungai Puteri, SK Tanjung Gemok, SK Pontian, SK Kampong Kolam, SK Chenderawasih, SK Leban Chondong, SK Rompin, SK Sungai Puteri and SK Sarang Kedaik.

Also closed were SK Sarang Tiong, SK Pianggu, SK Janglau, SK (Felda) Selendang 1, SK (LKTP) Selendang 4, SK LKTP) Keratong 8 and SJK (Cina) Rompin.

"Schools are reminded to follow the standard operations procedure and to prioritise the health of students and teachers at all times,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) website, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Rompin reached 204 at 10pm Wednesday (Sept 11), indicating very unhealthy air quality. The reading, however, went down to 97 as at 5pm today.

API reading of 0 to 50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). - Bernama