BATU PAHAT, Sept 7 — Johor will close all schools, kindergartens and childcare centres if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeds 200 amid worsening haze.
State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali today said several districts were already recording unhealthy readings this morning, with Segamat and Batu Pahat at 157, Tangkak at 153 and Kluang at 151.
“So, if the API reading exceeds 200, the school or learning centre will be closed,” he told reporters during a working visit to SMK Suria Jaya in Parit Yaani here.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said schools were also monitoring outdoor activities during the current hot spell and haze, with the education department empowered to reduce such activities where necessary.
“In light of the current situation, we need to take this matter seriously,” he said.
“If there is an urgent need to reduce outdoor activities, then we will implement it.”
He said the state Education Department is ready to implement the closure under existing standard operating procedures, while district education offices and schools had been told to keep parents, students and teachers updated on API readings.
