KUCHING: The unhealthy air quality throughout the state has caused a total of 1,037 schools to be closed down yesterday.
The number comprises 136 secondary schools and 901 primary schools involving 325,391 students.
A statement from the state Education Department said the schools are located in 20 education districts (PPD).
Sibu PPD has the most number of schools affected with 116 involving a total of 21,375 students. Padawan PPD has 100 schools closed affecting a total of 45,653 students. Kuching has 87 schools closed involving 60,509 students.
The others are Bau with 44 schools (11,571 students); Lundu with 34 schools (7,462 students); Sri Aman 41 schools (10,238 students); Lubok Antu 30 schools (1,980 students); Selangau 23 schools (3,382 students), Kanowit 38 schools (6,034 students); Sarikei 49 schools (11,162 students); Julau 37 schools (5,811 students); Maradong 36 schools (6,436 students); Samarahan 59 schools (28,078 students); Simunjan 54 schools (8,613 students); Serian 86 schools (19,241 students); Mukah 32 schools (8,810 students); Dalat 29 schools (5,747 students ); Daro 45 schools (8,739 students); Betong 54 schools (14,194 students ); and Saratok — 59 schools involving 10,450 students.
The schools are reminded to abide by the standard operating procedure and refer to the ‘School Closure Standard Operating Procedure following the Haze Occasion’ issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) dated Sept 18 and to prioritise students and teachers’ health at all times.
The Air Pollution Index (API) readings for districts that have dangerous and very unhealthy air quality status recorded as of 12pm yesterday were Sri Aman (415), Kuching (243), Sarikei (221) and Samarahan (216).
