Penang: The Penang Education Department (JPNPP) will implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) in schools if the Air Pollutant Index (API) due to haze reaches 200. Its director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said the move was in line with guidelines set by the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the circular on school management during haze, which was drawn up jointly with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JPNPP will closely monitor developments related to the haze and will not wait until the last minute to inform schools if there is a need to suspend school operations and implement PdPR. This was stated by Mohamad Dziauddin after assessing the haze preparedness level at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Gelugor. The department plans to assess API reading trends at four monitoring stations in Penang-Minden, Balik Pulau, Seberang Jaya, and Perai-at 6 pm or 8 pm the previous day to determine the necessary action for the following day.
JPNPP has set up a 'war room' on August 13 to monitor the haze situation in the state, including developments in API readings, before informing the district education offices (PPD) to relay the information to schools in stages. Mohamad Dziauddin assured parents that the department is prioritizing the safety, health, and comfort of the school community and advised schools and parents to remind students to prepare early, especially those at risk of respiratory problems.
Meanwhile, the department is preparing a contingency plan to deal with potential deterioration in air quality due to the haze, which could affect the Malaysia Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Football Championship and the 15th Malaysian Scout Jamboree (MYJAM15), scheduled to start on August 28. Discussions with the MOE's Sports, Co-Curriculum, and Arts Division (BSKK) have been held regarding preparations in case weather conditions and API readings worsen.
One option being considered is to adjust football match schedules based on API readings. For example, lower API readings in the morning could allow matches to be played at that time. Regarding MYJAM15, the national scouting organization is expected to discuss necessary early measures and has set up a special operations room to manage the haze situation throughout the program.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to officiate MYJAM15 on August 29, which will be attended by over 5,000 local scouts and more than 450 international scouts from 11 countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.