By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 4: Sarawak has ordered the temporary closure of schools in Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau and Meradong until Sept 11 as worsening haze pushed air quality to unhealthy levels, with teaching and learning to continue online.
The Sarawak Education Department (JPN Sarawak) director Omar Mahli said the temporary closure involved 563 primary schools with 108,477 students and 84 secondary schools with 90,082 students under the 12 district education offices.
The closure will take effect from Sept 7 to 11, following continuous monitoring of Air Pollutant Index (API) readings during the current school holidays and reports from the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
“Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) would be conducted throughout the closure period for schools affected by the haze,” he said during a press conference at Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) operation room in Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
In a statement that follows, the department said the measure was taken in line with the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on managing teaching and learning during disasters.
“JPN Sarawak has always placed great emphasis on the welfare, health and safety of students, particularly when dealing with hot weather or any unexpected weather conditions.”
It said the hot weather affecting the country had also caused several locations in Sarawak to record unhealthy API readings.
Schools were reminded to comply with established standard operating procedures and refer to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on measures to ensure the health and safety of students in schools located in areas affected by haze deemed critical.
JPN Sarawak also advised all educational institutions under its supervision to comply with guidelines on outdoor activities during hot weather.
Institutions were urged to monitor API levels in their respective areas through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) and follow recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health from time to time.
“JPN Sarawak takes the health, safety and well-being of its entire community very seriously,” the department said.
It added that any changes or latest information would be announced from time to time. – DayakDaily
