SHAH ALAM, Oct 14 — Parents are allowed to keep their children at home during the haze if they are concerned about their health and safety, provided they inform the school.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said this flexibility reflects parents’ concerns, particularly for pupils with health conditions or greater sensitivity to air pollution.
The Education Ministry (MOE) has also begun coordinating school operating procedures under the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) to ensure decisions are based on prevailing conditions.
“Under these coordinated procedures, outdoor activities will be postponed when the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeds 100, while schools will be closed when the API reading exceeds 200, in accordance with the PTJK,” she said in a Facebook post.
Fadhlina added that decisions on school operations will also take into account changes in API readings and health advice from the Health Ministry (MOE).
The minister said that API readings can change quickly; therefore, closing schools several days in advance without considering current conditions could disrupt pupils’ learning.
“Closing schools several days in advance without taking these changes into account could cause children to lose learning time, even if air quality has returned to normal,” she said.
Fadhlina also acknowledged the anxiety of parents who had to wait for daily decisions on school operations while the country was experiencing haze.
The MOH has also advised health protection measures, including wearing face masks during haze conditions.
She hopes the coordinated procedures will provide parents with greater certainty while ensuring pupils’ health and safety remain a priority without disrupting the continuity of their education.
