All schools in Johor will close for two days on Oct 8 and 9 to protect students from air quality caused by worsening regional haze. The Johor Education and Information Committee chairman, Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, announced the closure following a decree from the Johor Regent, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, as reported by The Star. The decision aligns with the National Haze Action Plan and operational guidelines from Malaysia’s Ministry of Education.
Schools and Assessments Affected by the Haze
The mandatory closure applies to all schools throughout the state of Johor. This decision serves as a precautionary measure to minimize student exposure to deteriorating air conditions. Any schools scheduled to conduct the Year Four Learning Matrix (MPT4) or other assessments must postpone these activities. The Johor Education Department and relevant parties will determine new dates for these rescheduled evaluations.
While physical classrooms are shuttered, the state government has mandated that home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) continue. This ensures that students maintain their academic progress during the two-day break.
Air Quality Readings Across Johor Districts
The decision to close schools follows a sharp decline in air quality across the state. Batu Pahat recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 203 on the night of Oct 6, placing the district in the "very unhealthy" category. This was the highest reading recorded in the country, according to the New Straits Times.
Other districts have also seen significant spikes in pollution levels. By the afternoon of Oct 7, Segamat and Pasir Gudang recorded API readings of 171, followed by Tangkak at 168, Kluang at 166, Larkin at 162, Kota Tinggi at 160, and Pengerang at 156. Malaysia’s API scale categorizes 101 to 200 as "unhealthy" and 201 to 300 as "very unhealthy."
Employer Flexibility for Working Parents
The state government acknowledges that the sudden school closures create logistical challenges for working parents. Muhammad Naqib stated that the cooperation of employers is essential in providing flexibility to staff during this period. He urged organizations to offer reasonable work arrangements to accommodate parents who must now care for their children at home.
Education Ministry Mandates Haze Safety Protocols
State authorities continue to monitor API readings to determine if further action is required. In the meantime, the Education Ministry has reminded all state education departments to follow established protocols for haze, which include suspending outdoor activities when API levels exceed 100 and closing schools entirely if readings surpass 200. Specifically, the ministry cited Circular No. 5 of 2016 regarding welfare and safety during hot and dry weather and Circular No. 1 of 2019 regarding critical haze conditions. These guidelines include ensuring adequate clean drinking water and collaborating with hospitals if health complications arise.
Parents are advised to limit their children’s outdoor activities, ensure they remain hydrated, and seek immediate medical attention if they display symptoms such as coughing, sore throats, or breathing difficulties. Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi has also called for an emergency meeting with ASEAN counterparts to address the regional haze crisis. Onn Hafiz raised this request during a meeting with Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto, the Indonesian consul general in Johor Bahru.
State Authorities Clarify School Closure Status
Will schools reopen on Oct 10?
The current closure is limited to Oct 8 and 9. State authorities are continuously monitoring API readings to decide if any further extensions to the school closure are necessary based on the evolving haze situation.
Are all educational institutions in Johor affected?
Yes, the directive covers all schools throughout the state. In specific instances like the Batu Pahat district, local disaster management committees had already ordered the closure of primary and secondary schools, as well as kindergartens and nurseries, starting Oct 7.
What should students do if their assessments were scheduled for these two days?
Students are not expected to sit for the Year Four Learning Matrix (MPT4) or other assessments during the closure. These will be rescheduled by the Johor Education Department and relevant authorities, with updates provided through official school communication channels.
Regional Response
While Johor seeks regional cooperation, Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has stated that no official complaints regarding haze have been received from neighbouring countries.
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