By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 13: Tadika (kindergartens) and Taska (nurseries) in Sarawak may remain open even when the Air Pollution Index (IPU) reaches 200 and above to cater to working parents, but attendance will be entirely up to parents.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah said the ministry had reviewed its measures for kindergartens and childcare centres amid the current haze and rising IPU readings.
She said Tadika and Taska are normally required to close when the IPU reaches 200 and above, but they may continue operating to accommodate children whose parents still need to work.
“Attendance at TADIKA and TASKA should remain at parents’ discretion/choice,” she said in a statement today.
Fatimah said the centres provide a safer and more controlled environment for children, with air-conditioning, appropriate air filtration or purification systems and proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place.
However, children who are unwell must stay home.
Those attending will also be screened upon arrival to ensure they are well before being admitted, while parents will be contacted to collect their children if they develop symptoms while at the centre.
All outdoor activities must also be suspended during the haze.
For children travelling between home and the centre, Fatimah urged parents to ensure they wear masks and minimise their exposure to the outdoors.
Parents of children with asthma, respiratory conditions and other vulnerabilities should also ensure children who have been prescribed inhalers bring them along, while informing the centre of their condition and care requirements.
Parents have also been reminded to ensure their children drink enough water and remain adequately hydrated throughout the day.
The measures are aimed at balancing child safety with the needs of working parents as Sarawak continues to experience haze and deteriorating air quality. — DayakDaily
