Haze: Only 30 Schools in Lubok Antu, Sarawak Closed So Far – Wong

KULAI: A total of 30 schools in Lubok Antu, Sarawak have been ordered to close temporarily so far due to the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeding 200.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the closure involves 28 primary schools and two secondary schools, as decided by the Sarawak State Education Department (JPN) effective today.

He said according to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines, the operation of all schools in a district or affected area must be closed if the API reading exceeds 200.

“The duration of the closure (of affected schools in Sarawak) will be decided by the school administrators, JPN and PPD (District Education Office) depending on the API readings,” he told reporters during his official visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Putra 2 here today.

Also present was Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Wong said this when asked to comment on the status of schools closed in the country due to the haze.

He said no school closures have been reported in other states so far and any latest information will be announced by his ministry from time to time.

For API readings exceeding 100, he said schools are instructed to immediately stop all outdoor activities including sports and any events.

Wong said school administrators are given the autonomy to decide on closing or reopening schools, based on monitoring and current API readings after consulting the JPN and PPD.

BERNAMA