Parents concerned about their children’s health amid the worsening haze can choose not to send them to school by informing the school, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.
In a Facebook post, Fadhlina said measures taken during haze conditions were guided by the National Haze Action Plan, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Department of Environment (DOE) serving as the official reference.
She said all outdoor classroom activities would be stopped when the API exceeds 100, while schools would be closed once the reading goes above 200.
“If parents are concerned about their children’s health, they are allowed not to send them to school by informing the school,” she said.
Fadhlina said the Education Ministry (MOE) would continue monitoring API readings and the latest situation, particularly in affected areas.
She acknowledged parents’ concerns over the haze and stressed that the health and safety of children remained the ministry’s priority.
“We hear the concerns of parents. The health and safety of our children remain the priority in every action we take,” she said.
