JOHOR BARU: All schools in Johor will be closed for two days starting today due to the worsening haze and deteriorating air quality across the state.
State education and information committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made following a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and safety of students.
He said the state government understood that the closure could affect parents and guardians who still had to work.
“Therefore, the cooperation and consideration of employers is greatly appreciated in providing appropriate flexibility to affected parents.
“This include reasonable work arrangements according to the suitability of their respective organisations,” he said in a statement.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said schools involved in the Year Four Learning Matrix (MPT4) or any other assessments would postpone the exercises.
“The assessments will be rescheduled subject to the decisions of the Johor Education Department and relevant parties,” he said.
He added that home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) would be conducted during the two-day closure to ensure students could continue their lessons.
The state government and relevant agencies would continue monitoring the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, Dr Muhammad Naqib added.
“While this decision may require some adjustment from everyone, under the current circumstances, the safety and health of children must be our shared priority,” he said.
He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s health, reduce outdoor activities and ensure they drink enough water.
“Seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as coughing, sore throat or breathing difficulties,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Naqib expressed hope that the haze situation would improve soon and thanked all parties for their cooperation in safeguarding the safety and well- being of children in Johor.
On Tuesday, authorities announced the closure of 200 schools, kindergartens and nurseries in the Batu Pahat district.
District education officer Kamalluddin Jamal said the directive was issued following the worsening haze conditions in the district.
In August, nearly 600 schools in Sarawak were shut down as air quality reached unhealthy categories due to the haze.
