Schools allowed to close due to haze, says Deputy Education Minister

19 March 2019

MALAYSIA – KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): School administrations are allowed to close school or restrict outdoor activities without prior permission from the Education Ministry if the Air Pollutant Index (API) worsens due to haze.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said schools had been given the authority to make the decision which is in the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“We already gave power (turunkan kuasa) to the schools, so no need for them to come back to the ministry for permission to close school or stop outdoor activities because we want them to make decisions there and then.

“We already have SOP, meaning when there is haze, actually it is for the school to decide,” she told reporters at the Parliament lobby here Monday (March 18).

As of 2pm today, the API in two areas recorded unhealthy readings namely Rompin (177) and Banting (101).

API levels of 0 to 50 are considered “good”, levels of 51 to 100 are considered “moderate”, 101 to 200 considered “unhealthy”, 201 to 300 “very unhealthy”, with a reading of over 301 considered “hazardous”. – Bernama

19. March 2019/by GFMCadmin