All educational institutions across the district of Batu Pahat, including primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, have been ordered to close immediately starting today following deterioration in air quality.
The emergency closure was triggered after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading for the district breached the 203 threshold, crossing into the ‘very unhealthy’ category by 8:00 PM yesterday night (6 October).
Immediate action under the National Haze Action Plan
According to Kosmo!, the Batu Pahat District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) deemed the drastic measure necessary to safeguard the health and safety of students, teachers, and local residents.
Continuous monitoring of atmospheric conditions by relevant agencies prompted the committee to enforce the district-wide shutdown, which officially takes effect on October 7. The decision is in strict accordance with the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) and the operational guidelines set by Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (KPM).
Additionally, the Year 4 Learning Matrix (MPT4) exam, which was scheduled to take place from Oct 6 to 8, has been postponed to another date due to the worsening haze conditions also reported by Kosmo!.
Johor State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr. Muhammad Naqib Ghazali said the decision was made taking into account the safety and health aspects of students.
“The safety and health of our students is our common priority. Therefore, the Year 4 exams scheduled to take place from Oct 6 to 8 have been postponed until a date to be announced later,” he said.
Transition to Home-Based Learning (PdPR)
Despite the physical closures, students’ education will continue remotely. School authorities have been instructed to implement the Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) method whenever directed by the Ministry of Education, the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ), or the Batu Pahat District Education Office (PPD).
“Schools are required to inform parents or guardians of the PdPR implementation methods, student assignments, and official communication channels through the school’s official platforms,” the committee stated.
Parents and guardians across Batu Pahat are advised to keep children indoors, minimise outdoor physical activities, and monitor official announcements regarding when physical classes will safely resume.
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