KOTA KINABALU: Schools are ordered to close immediately if the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds the hazardous level of 300, in accordance with the circular issued by the Education Ministry.
State Education Director Jame Alip said high-risk children should not partake in outdoor activities when the API reaches 150, while all outdoor activities should be stopped and students should stay in classrooms as API hits 250.
Jame stressed that the temporary shutdown of schools if the API exceeded 300 should only be confined to the affected districts only.
Students will make up for the lessons missed when schools reopen, he said.
Jame advised headmasters and principals to keep track of the API through the mass media and children who feel unwell should seek medical attention.
He also urged the people to drink plenty of water.
Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap said schools should be shut down if the API of an area reached a dangerous level. This is for the good of the students and teachers.
She added that several schools in Muar, Johor, had closed down due to the hazardous API level.
Yap said this at a press conference after presenting special allocations to 163 schools in Sabah and five schools in Labuan here yesterday.