JOHOR BARU: All schools and educational institutions in the state have been instructed to remain closed for another week, says Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali.
The state education and information committee chairman said the closure would run from tomorrow (Oct 19) to Friday (Oct 23).
He said the decision was made following a Haze Management Coordination meeting yesterday, based on reports showing that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings remained at worrying levels, with no significant improvement.
“We took into account wind movement towards the north, weather forecasts for the next three to four days and health concerns over prolonged exposure to air pollution, particularly among children and vulnerable groups,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He noted that 30,648 cases of asthma and upper respiratory tract infections had been recorded in the state so far this month, representing a 20.7% week-on-week increase.
He said limited exemptions could be considered for students required to sit specific examinations or assessments.
Such exemptions would be subject to coordination by the state Education Department and strict compliance with health standard operating procedures.
He added that the department would coordinate examination and assessment schedules between schools under the Education Ministry and Johor religious schools, while home-based teaching and learning would continue throughout the closure.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said private educational institutions and childcare centres could decide whether to remain open or close, provided they complied with the stipulated guidelines, including operating in enclosed areas and requiring the use of face masks.
The school closures were first imposed in Johor on Oct 7 and 8 before being extended to Oct 12 to 16.
The decision was made in deference to the decree of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who had consistently prioritised the safety, health and well-being of Johoreans.
