Haze: Schools, educational institutions in Johor to close for another five days from tomorrow

The Johor government has extended school closures for another five days from October 19 due to hazardous haze conditions.

Online learning will continue, with potential exceptions for exam-takers, following strict health protocols.

Health authorities report a 20.7% weekly increase in respiratory cases, urging preventive measures for children and vulnerable groups.

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 18 — The Johor government has extended the closure of schools and educational institutions across the state for another five days from tomorrow (October 19) due to the haze.

State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made following a meeting of the Johor Haze Management Coordination Committee at noon yesterday.

He said the extension would remain subject to developments in air quality, weather forecasts and ongoing health assessments.

“Monitoring reports indicate that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings remain at concerning levels, with no significant improvement.

“The decision also takes into account wind movement towards the north and weather forecasts for the next three to four days, which will be considered before determining when schools can reopen,” he said in a statement.

Muhammad Naqib said the measure was in line with the directive of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who consistently prioritised the safety, health and well-being of the people.

He said the decision also reflected the state government’s commitment to placing public health and safety at the forefront.

Meanwhile, he said Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) would continue throughout the closure in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) PdPR Manual Version 2.0.

However, the needs of students sitting for examinations and assessments would be taken into account, with limited exceptions possible.

“These exceptions are subject to coordination by the Johor Education Department (JPNJ) and strict compliance with health standard operating procedures (SOPs), with no additional activities permitted,” he said.

Muhammad Naqib said JPNJ would review the implementation SOPs daily in line with MOE directives and obtain the latest updates from the Examination Board to coordinate examination and assessment schedules for MOE schools and Johor religious schools.

He stressed that face masks must be worn and all established health guidelines followed.

Regarding private educational institutions (IPS) and childcare centres, Muhammad Naqib said the decision on whether to continue operating or close rested with the respective institutions.

“However, this is subject to compliance with the established guidelines, including conducting activities in enclosed spaces and ensuring that face masks are worn,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said health authorities had raised concerns over the public health risks of prolonged exposure to air pollution and recommended more comprehensive preventive measures, particularly for children and vulnerable groups.

“Throughout October, 30,648 cases of asthma and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were recorded in the state, representing a weekly increase of 20.7 per cent,” he said.

The state government had earlier announced the closure of all schools for two days from October 8, before extending the closure to cover educational institutions for another five days from October 12. — Bernama

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由于雾霾严重，柔佛州政府将学校停课时间从10月19日起再延长五天。

在线学习将继续进行，但参加考试的学生可能会有例外情况，并需遵守严格的健康防疫规定。

卫生部门报告称，呼吸道疾病病例每周增加 20.7%，并敦促对儿童和弱势群体采取预防措施。

新山，10月18日讯——由于雾霾天气，柔佛州政府宣布将全州学校和教育机构的关闭时间从明天（10月19日）起再延长五天。

柔佛州教育及新闻委员会主席穆罕默德·纳基布·穆罕默德·加扎利博士表示，该决定是在昨天中午柔佛州雾霾管理协调委员会会议后做出的。

他表示，延期与否仍取决于空气质量、天气预报和持续的健康评估结果。

“监测报告显示，空气污染指数（API）读数仍然处于令人担忧的水平，没有明显改善。

他在一份声明中表示：“该决定还考虑到了风向北的趋势以及未来三到四天的天气预报，这些因素将在决定学校何时可以重新开放之前予以考虑。”

穆罕默德·纳基布表示，这项措施符合柔佛摄政王东姑马哥打伊斯迈的指示，他一直将人民的安全、健康和福祉放在首位。

他表示，这一决定也体现了州政府将公共卫生和安全放在首位的承诺。

与此同时，他表示，在学校关闭期间，将按照教育部《居家教学手册》2.0 版的规定，继续开展居家教学。

但是，在考试和评估过程中，会考虑到学生的需求，仅有少数例外情况。

他说：“这些例外情况需经柔佛州教育局 (JPNJ) 协调，并严格遵守卫生标准操作程序 (SOP)，不得进行任何其他活动。”

穆罕默德·纳基布表示，柔佛州教育局将根据教育部的指示，每日审查实施标准作业程序，并从考试委员会获取最新信息，以协调教育部学校和柔佛州宗教学校的考试和评估时间表。

他强调必须佩戴口罩，并遵守所有既定的卫生准则。

关于私立教育机构和托儿中心，穆罕默德·纳基布表示，是否继续运营或关闭由各机构自行决定。

“但是，这须遵守既定准则，包括在封闭空间内进行活动，并确保佩戴口罩，”他说。

与此同时，他表示，卫生部门已对长期暴露于空气污染的公共健康风险表示担忧，并建议采取更全面的预防措施，特别是针对儿童和弱势群体。

他说：“10 月份，该州共记录了 30648 例哮喘和上呼吸道感染 (URTI) 病例，比上周增加了 20.7%。”

州政府此前宣布所有学校自10月8日起关闭两天，之后又将关闭期限延长至10月12日起五天。——马新社

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