By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 6: Schools in the Bintulu and Tatau-Sebauh districts will close from Sept 7–11 due to hot weather and unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the State, joining schools in 12 other districts.
In a statement, the Sarawak Education Department (JPN Sarawak) said that the closure will affect 54 primary schools involving 22,476 students and nine secondary schools involving 17,268 students under the Bintulu and Tatau-Sebauh district education offices (PPDs).
“In view of this, Home-Based Teaching and Learning will be conducted throughout the temporary school closure period, in accordance with the provisions under Ministry of Education Malaysia Circular Letter No. 8 of 2016, Guidelines on the Management of Teaching and Learning Due to Disasters, dated July 21, 2016,” the statement said.
On Sept 4, it was announced that schools in 12 districts Statewide will be temporarily closed until Sept 11, namely, Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau, and Meradong.
With the addition of the Bintulu and Tatau-Sebauh districts, 14 districts are now affected by the temporary school closures, including 617 primary schools involving 130,953 students and 93 secondary schools involving 107,350 students.
Schools were reminded to comply with established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and refer to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on measures to ensure students’ health and safety in schools in areas deemed critical for haze.
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.
It added that it would announce any changes or updates from time to time. — DayakDaily
