All schools in Johor to shut on Oct 8 and 9 as air quality deteriorates due to haze

JOHOR BAHRU – All schools in Johor will be closed on Oct 8 and 9 due to the worsening haze and deteriorating air quality across the state.

Johor education and information committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made following the directive of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and safety of students.

The Panti assemblyman added that 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, including reasonable work arrangements according to the suitability of their respective organisations,” he said in a statement on Oct 7.

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.

Muhammad Naqib said the state government and agencies would continue monitoring the air pollutant index readings.

“While this decision may require some adjustment from everyone, under the current circumstances, the safety and health of Johor’s 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.

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.

Malaysia’s state education departments, district education offices and educational institutions under the Education Ministry have been told to take immediate steps if the haze worsens in their area.

The ministry said in a statement on Oct 7 that schools should implement the preventive measures listed in past circulars regarding preparations for hot and dry weather, as well as steps for areas critically affected by haze.

Among the measures listed include:

The ministry also said that educational institutions which close due to the haze need to implement home-based teaching and learning based on current guidelines, taking into account the safety, health and well-being of the students.

The ministry said the welfare, health and safety of students were a ­priority, particularly during unexpected haze conditions.

Acknowledging that the haze had caused API readings in seve­ral locations to reach unhealthy levels, the ministry said the state departments, district offices and educational institutions should obtain the latest air quality status via the Department of Environ­ment’s website.

As for the Higher Education Ministry, it said that higher education institutions in areas recor­ding API readings above 201 are given the autonomy to determine the appropriate modes of teaching and learning.

The ministry said it had directed such institutions under its purview to monitor API readings in their respective localities.

“Outdoor activities should also be assessed and adjusted based on the latest API readings,” it said.

The ministry also said that it would continue to monitor the situation and adjust the operatio­nal approach of these institutions. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK