Schools in 5 states to reopen tomorrow despite haze

Schools across five states in Malaysia will reopen tomorrow despite the haze, authorities have announced. The decision comes with several precautionary measures put in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.

In Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, and Penang, the education ministry has ordered the suspension of all outdoor activities. Students are required to wear face masks while in school. School administrators are responsible for monitoring air pollutant index (API) readings and taking special care of students who may be at a higher risk due to their health conditions.

Parents and guardians who have concerns about their children's health can choose to keep their children at home, but must inform the school beforehand. Updates on the situation can be obtained through official channels or directly from the schools.

In Negeri Sembilan, the department has postponed end-of-academic-session assessments and internal school examinations due to the haze. Outdoor activities are also suspended if the API reading exceeds 100. Melaka's education department has asked school administrators to continuously monitor API readings and pay close attention to high-risk students. Parents and guardians are advised to check the department's official channels or contact their schools for updates.

Pahang's schools in Bentong will continue operating normally, but outdoor activities have been postponed until further notice. Other districts' schools will also operate as usual. Any changes to school operations will be communicated through the department's official channels and district education offices.

In Penang, students are encouraged to wear face masks and stay hydrated. Schools are also advised to ensure a sufficient supply of drinking water is available for students. The education ministry recently reverted to the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) guidelines, which state that schools must immediately close when the API reaches 200. API readings range from 0-50 indicating good air quality, 51-100 as moderate, 101-200 as unhealthy, 201-300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.