Accra:The Ministry of Education has decided to revert to the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) guidelines, which require the immediate closure of schools when the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches 200. This decision follows input from various relevant agencies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that the PTJK guidelines also dictate that all outdoor classroom activities must cease when the API exceeds 100. Parents are allowed to keep their children at home if they fear that the haze may impact their health, provided they inform the school administration.

Fadhlina emphasized the need for specific actions based on each API reading level, explaining that different risk levels necessitate different responses. The decision to adhere to the PTJK guidelines was made after consultations with related agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), which highlighted the importance of following the plan for effective haze management.

Previously, a more cautious approach was taken in response to concerns raised by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, prioritizing the safety and health of students. The MOE has also received feedback from parents expressing various concerns, including requests for extended school closures, potential learning gaps, and childcare challenges during working hours.

The ministry has engaged with agencies such as the Ministry of Health, the Department of Environment, and NADMA to address the health, air quality, and disaster management aspects of the issue. Fadhlina acknowledged the validity of parental concerns about the unhealthy category of an API reading of 150, highlighting the ministry's responsibility to ensure students do not suffer prolonged educational disruptions, as experienced during the Movement Control Order. The ministry remains committed to consulting with expert authorities and addressing all concerns.