GEORGE TOWN, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Schools in areas recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading will be required to suspend all outdoor activities involving students as a precautionary measure amid the haze affecting Penang.
Penang Education Department (JPNPP) director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said data from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed that the Minden monitoring station recorded an API reading in the "unhealthy" category this afternoon.
"We are monitoring API levels periodically. In accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines, schools in areas with 'unhealthy' API readings will continue to operate as usual, but all outdoor activities involving students will be suspended as a precautionary measure," he said when contacted by Bernama tonight.
He said seven schools in the Minden area, comprising four primary and three secondary schools, are affected.
"Should the API level remain in the 'unhealthy' range tomorrow morning, these schools will suspend all outdoor activities," he said.
The DOE APIMS data showed that the Minden station recorded an API reading of 107 at noon and 103 an hour later before falling to 97 at 3 pm. The latest reading at 8 pm was 96, placing it in the "moderate" category.
Meanwhile, the Balik Pulau, Seberang Perai and Seberang Jaya monitoring stations recorded API readings between 84 and 95 at 8 pm, also within the "moderate" range.
Mohamad Dziauddin said he would meet all headmasters and principals at 11 am tomorrow to provide the latest updates and outline the necessary measures should the haze situation worsen or API readings reach unhealthy levels.
He advised students to wear face masks and stay adequately hydrated, while schools should immediately refer any students who become unwell to their parents or guardians.
Under the guidelines for school management during haze episodes, schools must suspend all outdoor activities when the API exceeds 100.
If the API exceeds 200, all schools in the affected area or district must close immediately, while teachers and support staff are not required to report for duty if the API exceeds 500.
The guidelines also stipulate that schools may reopen when the API falls below 200 and shows a downward trend.
-- BERNAMA
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