By DayakDaily Team
SERIAN, Aug 12: Six schools in the Tebedu area under the Serian District Education Office (PPD) have been temporarily closed after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeded 200 amid worsening haze conditions.
In a statement today, the Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) said the precautionary measure was taken in accordance with Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines, with the safety, health and well-being of students and school staff given priority.
As of 10.30am today, the six affected schools were SK Sejijag, with 51 students and 14 staff; SK Sungai Sameran (129 students and 21 staff); SK Tepoi (42 students and 15 staff); SK Entubuh (67 students and 18 staff); SK Temong (205 students and 21 staff); and SK Tema (85 students and 15 staff).
JPNS also reminded principals and headmasters that they do not need to wait for specific instructions from the PPD or JPNS to close their schools when the API reading in their respective areas or districts exceeds 200.
Under MOE Circular No. 1 of 2019 on measures to safeguard the health and safety of students in schools located in areas affected by critical haze, all schools in areas or districts where the API exceeds 200 must be closed immediately.
“Principals and headmasters must act immediately based on the current API reading in their respective areas and do not need to wait for closure instructions from the PPD or JPN,” JPNS said.
Schools are, however, required to immediately inform the PPD and JPNS of any closure to facilitate coordination, monitoring and record-keeping.
JPNS said teaching and learning would continue through online Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) during the temporary closure to minimise disruption to students’ education.
Schools have also been instructed to maintain communication with parents and guardians while continuing to monitor students’ health and welfare.
The department, through PPD Serian, will continue to monitor API readings and air quality by obtaining updates from the authorities and relevant agencies.
Schools have been reminded to closely monitor API readings in their respective areas and take appropriate action in line with MOE guidelines.
JPNS said any decision on the reopening of schools would take into account the latest API readings, prevailing conditions and instructions or guidelines issued by the authorities.
The department stressed that the safety and well-being of students and the wider education community remained its priority, calling for prompt and appropriate action to minimise exposure to health risks caused by the haze.
Parents and guardians have been urged to ensure their children remain safe and to follow official updates issued by schools, PPD Serian and JPNS.
They were also advised not to rely on unofficial information or wait for further instructions once a school had announced its closure based on an API reading exceeding 200, and to avoid spreading unverified information.
Any further developments concerning the operational status of the affected schools will be announced from time to time based on API readings, prevailing conditions and decisions by the authorities. — DayakDaily
