PETALING JAYA: All schools in Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya will be closed today due to haze.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the closure also involved schools under the Hulu Langat, Petaling Perdana, Kuala Langat and Sepang District Education Offices (PPDs) in Selangor, as well as those under the Kuantan and Rompin PPDs in Pahang.
“Schools in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak will operate as usual.
“Schools in other districts in Selangor and Pahang that are not under the closure directive will also remain open,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Schools that remain open are advised to monitor outdoor activities based on prevailing air quality conditions.
Fadhlina urged parents and school communities to refer to official announcements by their respective schools, state Education Departments and district education offices for the latest updates.
In a statement yesterday, the Selangor Education Department (JPNS) said schools in districts not mentioned in Fadhlina’s statement would operate as usual.
Affected schools have been told to notify parents and guardians and take appropriate measures to prioritise students’ health and safety.
“Educators and parents are advised to monitor official updates from the authorities regarding air quality and directives on school operations.
“Further information on the operation and reopening of schools will be announced through the official channels of the Education Ministry and JPNS,” it added.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Pentaksiran Kemasukan Sekolah Khusus and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia examinations in Melaka will proceed as scheduled today despite the closure of schools in the state.
The Melaka State Education Department (JPN) said all candidates were advised to refer to further announcements and instructions posted on the department’s official Facebook page regarding the implementation of both the assessment and examination.
“The Melaka JPN will continue to monitor the latest developments, including the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the areas concerned, and provide official updates should there be any changes to the operations of educational institutions.
“Parents, guardians, examination candidates and school administrators are advised to refer to the Melaka JPN’s official channels for accurate and up-to-date information, as well as to comply with all stipulated requirements,” it said in a statement.
The department said the health and safety of students and all education personnel remained its priority to ensure the smooth operation of educational institutions throughout the period of unhealthy weather.
A total of 23 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy API readings as at 5.50pm yesterday, with Pasir Gudang, Johor recording the highest reading at 174.
According to the Environment Department’s API Management System portal, Johor remained the worst-affected state, with six areas recording unhealthy readings – Kota Tinggi (170); Pengerang (166); Larkin (162); Batu Pahat (157); Tangkak (153); and Kluang (152).
In Negri Sembilan, unhealthy API readings were recorded in Seremban (166), Nilai (163) and Port Dickson (153).
In Melaka, the affected areas were Bukit Rambai (161), Melaka City (155) and Alor Gajah (153).
In Pahang, Balok Baru recorded an API reading of 161 and Rompin 155, while in Terengganu, readings of 155 and 152 were recorded in Kemaman and Paka, respectively.
In the Klang Valley, Johan Setia in Selangor recorded 152, while Putrajaya recorded 155.
In Sarawak, unhealthy readings were recorded at IPD Serian (158), Sri Aman (156) and Samarahan (144), while Tawau in Sabah recorded 151.
A further 41 areas nationwide recorded moderate API readings, while four recorded good air quality.
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 hazardous.
