KUCHING: Six Chung Hua primary schools in Kuching will be closed tomorrow due to the worsening haze in Sarawak.
Chairman of the Board of Management for Kuching Chung Hua Primary Schools No 1 to 6 Wong Tiong Hoo said the decision was made based on the air pollution index (API) which was on the "very unhealthy" range in the last 24 hours.
He said pupils who were sitting for the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) must also be given face masks and drink more water.
Meanwhile, state education director Dr Azhar Ahmad said school management, headmasters and principals were tasked with the responsibility to inform the teachers and students in the event their respective schools were closed.
He said schools must also duly act should the air pollutant index (API) reading exceed 100, to cease all outdoor activities for the students.
“If the API reading exceeds 200, all schools in the affected area or district should be closed immediately and for the principal or school head to inform the District Education office," he said.
"As for now, we don't have the figures on total school closed and students affected yet," he said.
Meanwhile, Azhar said all public examinations would proceed as usual.
“However, the examination board will postpone any examination to another date should the API reading reach 300," he added.
Schools and parents may follow developments on the haze via the Department of Environment's portal, http://apims.doe.gov.my.