By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 4: The Sarawak Education Department will announce the operating arrangements for schools in the State by 2pm tomorrow (Sept 5) amid worsening haze conditions affecting several areas.
In a statement today, the department said the decision was being made with the safety, health and well-being of students and the entire education community as its priority.
The announcement comes as several areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy to hazardous air quality levels today.
According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Serian recorded a very hazardous API reading of 519, while Kuching recorded 310, as of noon today.
Meanwhile, Samarahan recorded an API reading of 281 and Sri Aman 236, placing both areas in the very unhealthy category.
The department said all parties, particularly parents and guardians, students and school staff, should continue to follow official announcements and instructions issued by the Education Ministry and the state education authorities.
They were also advised to monitor their own health and that of their children, especially those with respiratory-related health conditions.
The department urged the public to reduce outdoor activities and exposure to haze if air quality deteriorates further, while ensuring that children’s health and safety needs remained a priority.
It also cautioned against circulating or believing unverified information, stressing that there was no need to make assumptions while awaiting the official announcement.
The current school holidays run from Aug 28 to tomorrow (Saturday) for Group A states, while the break for Group B states runs from Aug 29 to Sunday (Sept 6).
The new school term is scheduled to begin on Sunday for Group A states and Monday for Group B states.
The department called for calmness, vigilance and cooperation from all parties, and said it hoped the haze conditions would gradually improve.
“Safety and health are our shared priority,” it said. — DayakDaily
