Johor sets up task force on school operations amid haze

The Johor education department has established a special task force to monitor haze conditions and develop guidelines for school operations. The task force was approved during a state haze management coordination meeting chaired by Dr Naqib Ghazali, the Johor education and information committee chairman. The meeting, which included various agencies like the National Security Council, also decided to activate the state disaster management committee to improve inter-agency coordination.

Dr Naqib posted on Facebook that timely notification of school closures or reopenings allows parents, guardians, teachers, and schools adequate time to prepare. The state disaster management committee has been tasked with daily monitoring and assessment of the haze situation, with clear and consistent communication of official information to the public.

Dr Naqib acknowledged parents' concerns about their children's health and the challenges faced by teachers and schools in conducting lessons amid haze. He emphasized that decisions on closures would be based on more than just air pollutant index readings, considering environmental conditions, health risks, pupil safety, and the preparedness of all parties involved.

The government will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure coordinated measures guided by the latest assessments to protect the learning environment of students. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that all schools in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Putrajaya would close tomorrow due to the haze. Schools in certain districts of Selangor (Hulu Langat, Petaling Perdana, Kuala Langat, and Sepang) and Pahang (Kuantan and Rompin) will also close.

Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak, along with specific districts in Selangor and Pahang, will remain open as usual. Fadhlina urged parents and school communities to follow announcements from the education ministry and state and district education offices for updates.