KUCHING: A total of 710 schools under 14 district education offices (PPDs) in Sarawak will temporarily close from Sept 7 to 11 due to the ongoing haze, affecting 238,303 students.
The Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) said the latest decision followed continued monitoring of Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with several areas in the state recording unhealthy air quality.
In a statement on Saturday (Sept 5), JPNS said the latest closure involved an additional 54 primary schools with 22,476 pupils and nine secondary schools with 17,268 students under the Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh PPDs.
The two PPDs join 12 others previously identified for temporary school closures due to the haze.
Overall, the closure from Sept 7 to 11 will involve 617 primary schools with 130,953 pupils and 93 secondary schools with 107,350 students across the 14 affected PPDs.
Home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) will be implemented throughout the temporary closure period in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines on teaching and learning during disasters.
JPNS said schools would be informed of any changes or latest developments from time to time and reminded school administrations to comply with established standard operating procedures.
All educational institutions under JPNS were also advised to continue monitoring air quality in their respective areas through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Schools should also comply with Health Ministry recommendations and existing guidelines governing outdoor activities during hot weather and haze conditions.
JPNS stressed that the health, safety and well-being of students, teachers and the wider school community remained its priority.
