PETALING JAYA: Schools in eight Selangor districts, including Klang, Petaling and Gombak, will be closed today, says the state education department.
In a statement, it also said schools in Hulu Selangor and Sabak Bernam will remain open, but all outdoor activities are prohibited.
“Parents, guardians, students and the entire education community are requested to take note of this announcement and refer to the official channels of the Selangor education department to obtain the latest information.
“Any changes regarding the operational status of schools will be announced through the official channels,” it said.
Earlier yesterday, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek (pic) said parents have the choice to not send their children to classes even if schools are ordered to be kept open during haze.
She said the parents could do so if they worry that the haze could affect their children’s health and that they should duly inform the school.
She reiterated that schools will only be closed when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 200, adding that following consultations with relevant agencies to align the decision with the National Haze Action Plan.
Fadhlina, however, stressed that the schools will have to abide by the haze action plans issued by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“The issue of the haze is not merely about whether schools should open or close. We are talking about public health, air quality and how the nation manages a disaster,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Fadhlina said she had called all the relevant agencies, including the Health Ministry, the Department of Environment and Nadma to discuss the initial decision to close schools when the API is over 150 for three consecutive days.
“When His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong expresses concern regarding the haze situation, we certainly take it seriously.
“We choose to exercise greater caution because it is our own children whom we are looking to protect,” she said.
