SHAH ALAM: School authorities in Selangor have been advised to refer to the circular issued by the Education Ministry on ways to manage the haze in the state.
Selangor Education Department deputy director Muhammad Radzi Abdullah said the circular dated Jan 15 was issued by the ministry's deputy director-general (education operations sector) Shaari Osman.
"We ask all school authorities to use the circular as a precautionary guideline to safeguard the wellbeing of students, in view of the haze situation," Radzi told the New Straits Times today.
According to the circular, if the Air Pollution Index (API) level goes beyond 100 which is categorised as unhealthy, all out-of-classroom or outdoor activities are to be stopped.
If the API hits 200, which is very unhealthy, all schools in the affected areas or districts must be immediately shut down.
When the API breaches 500, which is the 'emergency' level, all teachers and staff are not required to be in school.
"So far, no schools in Selangor have been closed due to the haze. The Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination proceeded as normal today and there were no disruptions,” said Radzi.
As at 2pm, the Air Pollution Index Malaysia (APIMS) website showed five areas in Selangor recording unhealthy levels - Kuala Selangor at 133, Johan Setia at 183, Banting at 133, Shah Alam at 145 and Petaling Jaya at 142.
The circular also told school authorities to advise students to wear nasal masks and drink water frequently to keep them hydrated.
Parents, who were worried about their children's health, were allowed to keep their children at home but had to inform the school authorities.
Meanwhile, Selangor executive councillor for youth, sports and human capital development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said the state had advised schools to hold their activities indoors.
He added state sports managers and players had been told to be extra cautious and to avoid outdoor activities should the haze situation worsen.
Khairuddin said the state government would continue to prepare to hold activities for Bulan Sukan Negara which is scheduled next month.
"We will monitor the haze situation and hope it will improve considerably by then," he added.