Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres in Batu Pahat to close amid hazardous air quality

Batu Pahat, Oct 7 — All schools, kindergartens and childcare centres in the Batu Pahat district have been instructed to shut down from October 7, following an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 203, deemed “very unhealthy.” The Batu Pahat District Disaster Management Committee announced the closures in a statement today, citing the National Haze Action Plan and Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines to protect the well-being of students and school personnel.

Under the guidance of the MOE, Johor Education Department (JPNJ) and the Batu Pahat District Education Office (PPD), educational institutions must proceed with home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) arrangements as directed. Schools are required to communicate these arrangements to parents and guardians via official channels, detailing student assignments and communication methods.

The committee emphasized that reopening decisions will hinge on subsequent air quality assessments and official directives. The public is urged to rely on verified information from the Department of Environment, MOE, JPNJ, Batu Pahat PPD, and Batu Pahat District Office, while refraining from disseminating unconfirmed details.