Groups want earlier notice, clearer guidelines on haze-related school closures

The haze situation has prompted school closures in several states in the peninsula, with announcements made a day prior. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Civil society groups have called for earlier announcements and clearer guidelines on haze-related school closures.

Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) proposed that the education ministry announce the next day's school arrangements by noon on the preceding day, instead of waiting until the evening.

"While we recognise that haze conditions can change rapidly and urgent announcements may sometimes be unavoidable, earlier communication should be the standard practice whenever circumstances permit," it said in a statement.

Magpie said earlier notice would help parents arrange childcare and transport while giving teachers time to prepare lessons and alternative learning plans.

"A more predictable announcement system would help all stakeholders prepare responsibly, without compromising the health and safety of our children," it said.

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek had defended the day-to-day approach to school closures, saying that closure decisions must account for changing air quality and the impact on students’ learning.

She also explained that haze management involved several agencies, with the environment department responsible for air quality and the health ministry providing guidance on health risks.

The education ministry, meanwhile, focussed on students’ safety and the management of school operations based on prevailing conditions, she said.

State education directors have also been tasked with announcing school operational decisions based on air pollutant index (API) readings and the ministry's guidelines.

School closures must be announced by 2.45pm on Saturdays for Group A schools and Sundays for Group B schools, and by 5.45pm on other days, based on the API readings.

Group A schools are those with a Friday-Saturday weekend, and Group B with a Saturday-Sunday weekend.

However, Engage and Projek SAMA questioned the differing API thresholds and closure decisions during the recent haze episode in Johor, including the statewide closure of schools for two days.

“Together, they have produced uncertainty over a basic question: who is authorised to make the final decision, using what criteria, and with what notice?” they asked in a joint statement.

They said sudden closures could force parents who failed to arrange childcare to miss work, while lower-income families might not have suitable conditions to keep their children indoors safely.

"A closure policy must, therefore, be accompanied by practical support, not simply an instruction to stay home," they said.

As such, Engage and Projek SAMA called for school closure decisions to be based on transparent, science-based criteria that took into account air quality readings, exposure duration, weather forecasts, indoor air conditions and health risks.

They also urged the government to establish a permanent National Haze Operations Room, or an equivalent coordinating body, to bring together relevant ministries, agencies and state governments.