Haze: Schools in Johor to reopen this Monday

JOHOR BARU: All schools in the state will resume operations on Monday following a decline in the haze situation, according to Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, chairman of the Johor State Education and Information Committee. This decision came from a meeting of the Johor State Disaster Management Committee, following assessments by various agencies.

The improvement in the haze is attributed to changing wind directions, increasing humidity levels, and forecasted rain, according to the committee. Health risk evaluations conducted by the Johor Health Department have also been considered to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school staff. The reopening is crucial to enable students to take their year-end exams and prepare for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) test, stated Ghazali in a recent press release.

The Johor Education Department will ensure adherence to safety and health standard operating procedures, which include wearing face masks and closely monitoring school activities based on the current Air Pollutant Index (API) readings and existing guidelines. Dr Ghazali affirmed that the state government and relevant agencies will continue to monitor the situation, and any additional measures will be communicated through official channels.

The government remains dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of school communities while avoiding any disruption to students' education.