SERIAN: Parents here remain cautious over the haze despite improving air quality, with some continuing to limit their children’s outdoor activities and taking extra health precautions.
Schools in Serian reopened on Monday (Aug. 17) after a two-day closure last week when Air Pollutant Index (API) readings reached unhealthy levels.
While generally comfortable with their children returning to school, parents who spoke to Sarawak Tribune said they welcomed measures such as the suspension of outdoor activities and the use of face masks.
Mohd Amirul Fahmi Abd Hamid, 33, said he was not overly concerned as API readings were showing a downward trend.
“As long as the pupils are indoors and the school continues to remind them to drink enough water, I feel the situation is still under control.
“I am not sure about other schools, but my children’s schools have yet to allow outdoor activities.
“In my view, outdoor activities should be postponed for the time being until the air quality is truly safe,” he said.
Amirul said his children had not experienced any health problems from the recent haze, adding that he regularly reminded them to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
He hoped schools would act early if the haze worsened again, including limiting outdoor activities and raising awareness on the proper use of face masks.
“If the API approaches 190 and continues to rise, school closure should be considered for the safety of the pupils,” he added.
Another parent, Rebecca Lazarus, 42, said both her primary and secondary school-going children were still required by their respective schools to wear face masks.
She welcomed the precaution, adding that outdoor activities had also been temporarily suspended.
“Before the schools were closed, my children complained of sore and dry throats. I even gave them ice cream every afternoon to soothe their throats.
“Thankfully, they did not develop a fever. I also always remind them to drink plenty of water,” she said.
Rebecca hoped home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) would be implemented if unhealthy haze conditions returned.
She said her children continued doing schoolwork at home during last week’s closure, allowing them to keep up with their studies despite not attending school physically.
Meanwhile, Syawalnurizam Awang Zaini, 32, admitted he remained worried that the weather and haze could cause his primary school-going child to fall ill.
However, he said school closures also posed practical difficulties for working parents.
“Of course, I am worried because I am afraid my child might fall sick.
“But if there is no school, it is difficult too because both my wife and I work, so there is no one to look after our school-going child,” he said.
Chin Moi Fah, 49, said she remained concerned about the haze but trusted the department’s decision to reopen schools as API readings had continued to improve.
She said her child’s school had made face masks compulsory and suspended outdoor activities, measures which she felt were sufficient for the current situation.
“During the haze, my child told me that it felt uncomfortable to breathe. She said the air felt heavy and dirty.
“She is already in secondary school, so she understands that she needs to wear a face mask,” she said.
Chin, who checks the API daily, said she trusted the relevant authorities to take appropriate action if the haze worsened again.
“If the API exceeds 200, schools should be closed and PdPR carried out so that the children remain safe while keeping up with their studies,” she said.
Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, meanwhile, welcomed the department’s decision to close schools during the unhealthy haze conditions last week.
He said protecting the safety and health of schoolchildren should remain the priority when air quality deteriorates.
“The school closure was a good initiative by the State Education Department because the safety and health of our children are very important.
“When the API reaches unhealthy levels, parents should also monitor their children’s activities and movements.
“At home, if possible, avoid outdoor activities,” he said.
