KUALA LUMPUR: Schools in Melaka, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang and Penang, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, will operate as usual tomorrow, but outdoor activities in some areas have been suspended due to haze.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, the state Education Department said in a statement today that all educational institutions under the Education Ministry would operate as usual, but the Year-End Academic Assessment (UASA) scheduled during this period must be postponed and rescheduled by the schools.
The postponement also covers all internal school examinations, in line with the Education Ministry's statement dated Oct 15, while all outdoor activities must be stopped if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeds 100.
In MELAKA, the state Education Department said all educational institutions under its administration would operate as usual, with all outdoor activities suspended. School administrators must monitor API readings from the Environment Department and pay particular attention to high-risk students.
In SELANGOR, the state Education Department also said all educational institutions under its administration would operate as usual, with all outdoor activities suspended. School administrators were also told to monitor API readings and pay particular attention to high-risk students.
Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department said all educational institutions under the Education Ministry would continue face-to-face classes as usual, but all outdoor activities would be suspended.
In PUTRAJAYA, the Putrajaya Federal Territory Education Department said all schools under its administration would operate as usual, with outdoor activities suspended. The department and school administrators would monitor API readings regularly and pay particular attention to high-risk students.
In PAHANG, the state Education Department said schools in Rompin, Bentong and Cameron Highlands would operate tomorrow, with all outdoor activities suspended.
Schools in other districts would operate as usual, and any changes would be announced through the respective District Education Offices.
The PERAK Education Department said all schools would operate as usual tomorrow and advised everyone to remain alert to developments and comply with the authorities' advice on the haze.
In PENANG, the state Education Department said all educational institutions would operate as usual tomorrow and encouraged students to drink sufficient water.
Schools were told to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water, while the department would continue monitoring air quality.
Students and school staff were also encouraged to wear face masks as a precaution, particularly those experiencing respiratory symptoms or belonging to high-risk groups.
The education departments in Melaka, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Penang, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, also gave parents or guardians who were concerned about their children's health the option of keeping them at home, provided they informed the school.
Earlier, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek was reported as saying that decisions on school closures due to haze were made jointly by the Education Ministry, Health Ministry and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), based on their respective areas of expertise.
She said the decisions took into account air quality monitoring and health risks to students, as well as the impact on learning if schools were closed for too long.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, called on the government, private sector and local communities to take proactive steps and collective action to address the physical and psychological effects of haze on students and their families.
In a royal message posted on the official Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar last night, Her Majesty also emphasised community cooperation in strengthening Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR), as well as long-term strategic planning to deal with haze.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd