Haze forces closure of 102 schools in Perak

All 102 schools in the Manjung district have been ordered to close their afternoon session today after the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Seri Manjung reached the hazardous level of 322 at 9 am.

Manjung district education officer Muhd Suod Mat Thani said the schools comprised 21 secondary and 81 primary schools and involved almost 40,000 pupils and students.

"We've obtained permission from the State Education Department and informed the school principals and headmasters. The morning session went on as usual as the students were already at school today," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the school sessions for today and tomorrow would be replaced later.

Yesterday, a meeting was held among school principals and headmasters in the district to update them on the haze situation and the necessary measures to be taken, he said.

Muhd Suod said they received a letter from the District Health Office on the health measures to be taken. "Parents are advised to limit their children's outdoor activities. Children affected by the haze should be brought to the doctor for consultation and treatment," he said.

According to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, other areas with poor air quality at 9 am today were Jalan Tasek, Ipoh, with a reading of 144, Kampung Air Putih, Taiping (149), Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (188) and Tanjung Malim (175).