Parents seek clarity over school closures during haze

SHAH ALAM – Parents have voiced frustration over uncertainty surrounding school closures during the haze, questioning how decisions are made as the Education Ministry outlines procedures based on air pollutant index (API) readings.

In a statement shared on Threads on Wednesday, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the Education Ministry (MoE) had begun coordinating school operating procedures under the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK), following discussions with relevant agencies and a reminder from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to adhere to the plan.

Under the procedures, outdoor activities will be postponed when API readings exceed 100, while schools will close when readings exceed 200.

Fadhlina said the approach would allow decisions to be made more systematically, taking into account changes in air quality and advice from the Health Ministry.

“We need to understand that API readings can change within a short period,” she said, adding that closing schools several days in advance without considering changing conditions could result in lost learning time if air quality improved.

However, parents have continued to question how school-closure decisions are made, particularly when API readings change but the decisions appear inconsistent.

On social media, user @peeksby.min questioned decisions made by the Selangor Education Department, asking why schools were sometimes closed when API readings were lower but remained open when pollution levels increased.

Another user, @rena.jll, said repeated announcements were causing stress for parents, particularly when they had to rearrange childcare and work commitments around school closures.

“Can’t they standardise it across all states?” the user asked, suggesting that keeping pupils at home for several consecutive days would give families greater certainty.

User @itsaena_30 also questioned the apparent differences between API readings on successive days and the corresponding decisions on school operations, while @ct.yaaa raised concerns about children wearing masks and spending time in open-air school environments.

Some parents have called for schools to remain closed for several consecutive days to help families plan their childcare and work arrangements.

Fadhlina has acknowledged these concerns and said she had requested that school-closure decisions be announced as early as possible.

The issue has also drawn the attention of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, who on Oct 8 called for students’ health and safety to be prioritised during the haze.

His Majesty advised that schools in affected areas should be closed, particularly where API readings remained between 150 and 180 for a prolonged period. He also urged the authorities to take appropriate measures to protect students, older people and those with respiratory illnesses.

Fadhlina said parents who remained concerned about their children’s health and safety could keep them at home during the haze, provided they informed the school.

“The safety and health of our children remain our top priority. However, every school day also matters for their development and learning,” she said.