The Johor government and the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ) have not ruled out the possibility of closing schools if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading reaches 200 and the haze situation risks affecting the health of the public, especially students.
Johor Education and Information Exco Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the move, however, depends on the current situation and the level of air pollution in the area involved.
He also suggested that every school create a communication platform between teachers and parents to ensure that information related to the haze situation and any instructions can be delivered quickly.
“I suggest that the education office of every school to create a communication platform between teachers and parents, it must be in place from now on.”
“Information must reach (to parents). If there is no need to send (students) the next day with PdPR (learning from home) in place, parents can arrange a time, whether to school or to the office and so on,” he said.
At the same time, he said schools are also implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to reduce health risks among students following the haze situation that is currently affecting several districts in Johor.
He said that monitoring is also being carried out on students who show symptoms of illness including asthma, cough or red eyes.
“Schools in affected areas are also advised to reduce outdoor activities at this time,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said this after conducting a working visit in conjunction with the opening of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Suria Jaya, Batu Pahat, today.
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