MELAKA: All schools under the Education Ministry in the state have been ordered to close on Friday (Oct 9) as worsening haze raises concerns over the health of pupils and school staff.
Melaka education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in key areas across the state had exceeded 150, placing them in the unhealthy category.
“The decision was made following continuous monitoring by the Melaka Education Department and official reports from the Department of Environment showing unhealthy air quality in key areas of the state,” he said on Thursday (Oct 8).
Rahmad said the closure was necessary to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of pupils, teachers and other members of the school community.
He added that the state Education Department would continue monitoring the haze situation and take appropriate action in accordance with the Education Ministry’s guidelines.
In neighbouring Negri Sembilan, all schools and educational institutions under the ministry will also close on Friday after unhealthy air quality was recorded in Seremban, Port Dickson and Nilai.
