Groups want earlier notice, clearer guidelines on haze-related school closures
Magpie proposes a noon deadline, while Engage and Projek SAMA want clearer guidelines and better coordination.
Civil society groups in Malaysia have urged the education ministry to provide earlier announcements and clearer guidelines regarding school closures due to haze. The Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) suggested that the ministry should inform schools of the next day's arrangements by noon on the previous day, rather than waiting until the evening.
Magpie believes that early communication would assist parents in arranging childcare and transportation, while also giving teachers the time to prepare alternative lesson plans. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek defended the current approach, emphasizing that closure decisions must consider fluctuating air quality and its impact on student learning.
She also explained that haze management involves various agencies, with the environment department monitoring air quality and the health ministry offering guidance on health risks. State education directors are responsible for announcing school operational decisions based on air pollutant index (API) readings and ministry guidelines.
School closures must be announced by 2.45 pm on Saturdays for Group A schools (those with a Friday-Saturday weekend) and 5.45 pm on other days, and by 5.45 pm on Group B schools (with a Saturday-Sunday weekend). Groups Engage and Projek SAMA, however, have criticized the differing API thresholds and closure decisions during recent haze episodes in Johor.
They questioned who holds the authority to make final decisions, the criteria used, and the notice provided. These groups argue that sudden closures can force parents to miss work or fail to arrange suitable childcare, particularly affecting lower-income families. They call for school closure decisions to be based on transparent, science-based criteria that consider air quality readings, exposure duration, weather forecasts, indoor air conditions, and health risks.
Engage and Projek SAMA also urge the government to establish a permanent National Haze Operations Room or similar coordinating body to bring together relevant ministries, agencies, and state governments.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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