From Malay Mail · · 2m
Sarawak schools stay shut until the air clears
Two Sarawak districts keep their schools closed while the haze holds, and a single air quality number decides when class resumes.
In brief
Two Sarawak districts keep their schools closed while the haze holds, and a single air quality number decides when class resumes. API 200 is the line. Above it schools shut, below it they reopen, and parents can pull a child out earlier as long as they tell the school. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Schools stay closed
Serian and Lubok Antu keep their schools shut, with no fixed reopening date. The Sarawak State Education Department will only restart classes once the Air Pollutant Index in both districts falls below 200.
A number, not a hunch
The call came from continuous monitoring of API readings on the Department of Environment portal through the APIMS system, plus reports from the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
Twelve districts carry on
Schools under Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Sri Aman, Kanowit, Julau, Meradong, Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh open as usual on Monday.
“Any changes regarding school operations or the latest developments will be announced from time to time”
The three thresholds
Past API 100, all outdoor activities stop. Past 200, every school in the affected district closes immediately. Past 500, teachers and school staff do not have to report for duty either.
“If the API reading exceeds 100, all outdoor activities involving students must be halted.”
Masks on the way
The Ministry of Education, working with the National Disaster Management Agency, will hand out face masks to students, teachers and staff at the schools hit hardest by the haze.
Parents get a say
Worried about your child breathing this air? You can keep them home without waiting for a closure order. The one condition is telling the school you have made that decision.
Water, masks, shade
Schools still open must watch any activity that exposes students to heat or haze, keep clean drinking water flowing, and push students to bring their own bottles and wear masks.
“Students are also advised to wear face masks and drink water frequently in appropriate amounts to help regulate body temperature”
Another hand on the switch
Closures can also be triggered by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee. The department told parents to follow its official channels for the day to day status of their district.
At a glance
API 200 is the line. Above it schools shut, below it they reopen, and parents can pull a child out earlier as long as they tell the school.
