KUCHING: Parents are calling for clearer and more responsive measures to protect schoolchildren as unhealthy air quality persists across parts of Sarawak.
Their concerns range from suspending outdoor activities and shortening school hours to temporarily closing schools and allowing affected parents to work from home.
Real estate negotiator Jacob Sab, 47, said he was closely monitoring his children, aged four and six, although neither had shown any haze-related symptoms so far.
He has stopped them from playing outdoors and is watching for signs such as coughing or a runny nose.
“If permitted, I would prefer to let them stay at home for the time being,” he said, believing that schools could suspend outdoor activities, keep lessons indoors and require pupils and staff to wear suitable face masks.
He also urged the authorities to consider closing schools and introducing online lessons when pollution reaches concerning levels.
“If schools are closed, employers should also allow parents to work from home, either on a rotational basis or for a certain period,” he said.
Social media officer Efarizan Mogan, 37, shared similar concerns but preferred schools to remain open with stricter precautions while conditions permitted.
She said her son was currently well, although the haze could easily trigger a cough, prompting the family to limit his outdoor activities, keep windows closed and use an air purifier at home.
Efarizan praised SK Datuk Mohd Musa for keeping parents informed through its WhatsApp group about the haze and any precautions required.
“If the situation becomes very unhealthy, schools should consider shortening school hours so that children are not exposed to the haze for too long,” she said.
Father of two, Dr Jawing Chunggat, 39, said his school-going children had occasionally complained of throat irritation or discomfort when air quality was poor.
While he remained cautious about sending them to school during unhealthy conditions, he said any response should be guided by clear and consistent thresholds.
“Outdoor activities should be reduced or suspended, and schools should communicate promptly with parents about any changes.
“Ultimately, we want our children to continue learning, but we also want to know that their health and safety are being prioritised,” he said.
The parents’ concerns came as six schools in Tebedu were ordered to close on Wednesday (Aug. 12) after the Air Pollutant Index (API) in the area exceeded 200, entering the very unhealthy category.
Under existing procedures, principals and headmasters may immediately close their schools once the API in their respective areas or districts exceeds 200 without waiting for further instructions from district or state education authorities.
