PETALING JAYA: It is better for parents to decide if their child should stay at home as the haze becomes more severe across multiple parts of Malaysia, say stakeholders.
After a week-long break, schools in Group A (Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) resumed classes on Sunday followed by those in Group B (Melaka, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya) yesterday.
SK Taman Megah Parent-Teacher Association chairman Yuwaraj Kumar Balakrishnan said that while it is not the usual standard operating procedure (SOP) before schools are officially closed due to worsening air quality, given the health risks, it is better that parents be allowed to make the call based on their child’s specific condition.
“Every child has different adaptability and those with allergies, respiratory conditions or weaker immune systems are at much higher risk.
“Health must always come first and parents know their child’s condition best,” he said.
According to the SOP set out by the government, outdoor activities should be restricted when the air pollutant index (API) exceeds 100 while schools may be closed when the API exceeds 200.
As of 3pm yesterday, 40 locations across Malaysia recorded unhealthy API readings between 101 and 200, while Serian and Samarahan in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings (201-300), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System.
For those who choose to remain at home, Yuwaraj said the Education Ministry’s Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (Delima) online learning platform allows students to access digital textbooks, interactive lessons and assignments set by their teachers.
“Through these platforms, teachers can share daily tasks, mark attendance virtually and provide feedback.
“However, I strongly advise parents to communicate proactively with their child’s class teacher,” Yuwaraj added.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said it is the right decision to give parents the choice of whether they want to keep their children at home.
“When the API is unhealthy, parents have genuine concerns about their child’s health.
“A rigid approach where every child must attend until a formal closure is announced does not adequately recognise that children have different levels of vulnerability,” she noted.
Noor Azimah also said the principle should be “health first, learning continuity second”.
“If a child stays home because of haze, they should not be disadvantaged academically,” she added.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said schools should be flexible when there are genuine health concerns, rather than treating every absence simply as truancy.
“Ideally, there should be a clear national threshold and SOP so parents, teachers and schools know exactly what to do at different API levels.
“This would avoid confusion and chaos, and ensure that decisions are based on health risks rather than individual interpretation,” he said.
National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said parents should also monitor their children’s learning to ensure that they do not fall behind.
At the same time, he said the flexibility provided by the ministry must not become an opportunity for students to play truant or avoid learning.
“If students misuse the opportunity, they will ultimately be the ones who lose out academically.
“We hope there will be no additional administrative work piled onto teachers to prepare multiple reports or documentation whenever parents decide to keep their children at home,” he said.
