Decisions about school closures during the haze will now involve more than one ministry. Bernama reports that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said three ministries will decide on closures while the haze persists. I have only seen the headline, so I do not know which three ministries are involved, though they presumably include those responsible for education, health and the environment.
The announcement follows weeks of changing closures across different states and districts, with parents often checking the air quality index each morning. Earlier this month, the ministry said it would communicate decisions earlier so that families could prepare, and a deputy minister said the haze was expected to ease within two weeks. A joint decision-making process may be intended to make the criteria clearer and more consistent.
On the same list of headlines, Fadhlina extended condolences to the family of a pupil in Dengkil. I did not see the details of that story, so I cannot say whether it is connected to the haze or to something else, and I will not speculate. It is a reminder to be careful about connecting unrelated news.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's forest fires are still burning, and foreign help is waiting for a national disaster declaration. Parents can prepare by checking the official air quality index, keeping masks and medicines at home, and discussing with schools how learning will continue during closures. Children with asthma or other breathing problems need extra care. Watch for official announcements through school channels and the ministry, since closures can change quickly depending on readings and weather.
