SHAH ALAM, July 27 — SK Puncak Alam 2 has cancelled today’s afternoon schooling session following the worsening air quality caused by the fire at the forest behind the school.
The decision was announced by the management after the school area was shrouded in smoke due to the fire, disrupting the learning process for students in the morning.
“A forest fire has occurred in the area behind SK Puncak Alam 2 which has caused the school environment to be filled with smoke and has the potential to affect the health and safety of school staff.
“After taking into account student safety and health factors as well as the current air quality conditions, the school has decided that today's afternoon school session is cancelled as a preventive measure to protect the welfare of all students.
“The school will constantly monitor the situation and will inform of any changes or further instructions from time to time through the school's official communication channels,” the school management said in a Facebook post today.
It also requested that parents and guardians cooperate to ensure that the children are at home and reduce outdoor activities if there is haze or smoke, to monitor the health of children, especially those with respiratory diseases, and to always follow official announcements from the school.
Earlier this morning, a forest fire broke out on a hill next to SK Puncak Alam 2 as confirmed by Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ashrul Riezal Ashbar, who said the department received an emergency call at 10.06am.
A fire engine from the Bestari Jaya Fire and Rescue Station was then dispatched to the scene and the firefighting operation was also assisted by the Saujana Utama Volunteer Fire Brigade.
He said the fire involved about two acres of forested area on a hill and firefighters are currently constructing a firebreak to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Earlier, photos and videos of the incident at Lorong Gugusan 7/20, Puncak Alam, went viral on social media.
