Schools in Johor to close on Oct. 8 & 9 following worsening haze conditions

All schools in Johor, Malaysia will be closed for two days beginning October 8 to protect students' health due to worsening haze conditions and deteriorating air quality throughout the state. The Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) reported unhealthy readings of between 162 and 188 for all eight areas in Johor as of 11 am on October 8, according to the Johor Education and Information Committee chairman, Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali.

The closure of schools comes after a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, as reported by The Star. Naqib emphasized that while this decision may cause some inconvenience, the well-being of children must be a collective priority during this challenging time. He also advised parents and guardians to watch over their children's health, limit outdoor activities, and ensure adequate hydration.

If children exhibit symptoms like coughing, a sore throat, or breathing difficulties, medical attention should be sought promptly. Naqib recognized the challenge this imposes on working parents and appealed for employers to offer flexibility to their employees. The closure of schools will also result in the postponement of assessments, pending decisions from the Johor Education Department and relevant stakeholders.

Home-based teaching and learning will be implemented during the two-day break to allow students to continue their education. The state government and relevant agencies will continue to monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings to keep the situation under review.