IPOH, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- All education institutions under the Ministry of Education (MOE) within the Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan and Kuala Kangsar District Education Offices (PPD) have been ordered to close immediately, following an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 180 recorded at Tasek Ipoh monitoring station as of 11 am today.
Perak State Education director Zulkafli Mohamed Mokhtar said in a statement today that all the affected schools and education institutions are to remain closed for the stipulated period.
He said schools must implement Teaching and Learning from Home (PdPR) to ensure the continuity of student learning, taking into account students' capabilities, access, and needs, as well as teacher preparedness.
He added that teachers and support staff (AKP) are to work from home (BDR) throughout the closure period, subject to current directives and operational requirements.
"Parents and guardians are urged to keep up with official updates and announcements from the Perak State Education Department (JPN) from time to time, particularly regarding the reopening dates for schools and education institutions.
"Parents and guardians are also advised not to make any assumptions regarding school reopenings and to rely solely on official announcements from the Perak JPN," he said.
Consequently, Zulkafli said schools must continue to monitor the current situation and prioritise the safety, health, and well-being of students and the education community.
Meanwhile, Perak JPN announced that it is prepared and is continuously monitoring Air Pollutant Index (API) readings alongside affected educational institutions to determine follow-up actions in accordance with Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines.
The Perak JPN expresses its deep appreciation for the concern and royal decree of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia on the safety and health of students amidst the haze situation affecting the country.
According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System portal, five areas in Perak recorded unhealthy API levels as of 1:00 pm, with Tasek Ipoh recording the highest reading at 180, followed by Pegoh Ipoh (175), Tanjung Malim (174), Seri Manjung (159), and Taiping (123).
-- BERNAMA