Haze: All schools in Johor to remain closed for another five days from Oct 12-16
Schools in Johor, Malaysia, will remain closed for five additional days due to hazardous air quality caused by haze. Officials cited health risks and unfavorable wind forecasts as the primary reasons for the extension.
Why it matters
Prolonged school closures impact the education of over 600,000 students and highlight the regional health crisis caused by trans-boundary air pollution.
JOHOR BARU: All schools and educational institutions in Johor will remain closed for another five days from Monday (Oct 12) to Friday (Oct 16), due to the ongoing haze affecting the state.
Johor education and information committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali stated the decision to extend the closure was made after considering current air pollution trends and health risks posed to students and the education community.
"This decision was made in deference to the decree of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who consistently prioritizes the safety, health and well-being of the people of Johor. "This priority specifically concerns students and the education community in light of the haze and deteriorating air quality affecting the state," he said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 10) night.
Previously, all schools in Johor were closed for two days on Oct 8 and 9 due to the haze.
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