Haze: Penang Schools May Close If API Reaches 200

KEPALA BATAS, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The Penang Education Department (JPN) is closely monitoring air quality and will notify schools in affected areas if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches 200 or above amid the haze in the state.

State Education director Mohd Dziauddin Mat Saad said any decision to close schools and implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) would be based on API readings taken every two hours, particularly at 6pm and 8pm today.

“All four monitoring stations have recorded readings above 160, which is in the unhealthy category. If the API reaches 200, in line with the guidelines issued, we will notify the schools concerned about closure and the implementation of PdPR,” he told reporters after the state-level Malaysia Day celebration at Dewan Millenium here today.

Any closure would be based on the affected areas, with the respective District Education Offices (PPD) notifying schools involved tonight.

Penang JPN has also operated a War Room since Aug 13 to monitor the haze and ensure updates reach schools promptly.

The department has yet to receive reports of students experiencing health problems linked to the haze, but schools have been advised to pay attention to those with respiratory problems.

Meanwhile, Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the state government would continue monitoring air quality, as all four stations recorded unhealthy levels today.

Based on the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) readings at 11am, Minden recorded the highest API at 167, followed by Balik Pulau (164), Seberang Jaya (162) and Seberang Perai (160).

“Minden and Balik Pulau recorded unhealthy levels over the past 24 hours, while Seberang Jaya and Seberang Perai saw their readings rise from moderate to unhealthy,” he said in a statement today.

Sundarajoo added that the DOE would also step up monitoring of open burning and fires that could worsen air quality, with appropriate action to be taken under the law.

-- BERNAMA