Parents say school closures a relief as PSI keeps rising

SINGAPORE — Parents welcomed the move to close primary schools and secondary schools with relief, saying that the health of their children is the top priority amid the risk of haze hitting hazardous levels.

Admin officer Noorulain Sheik Mohideen, 48, who has a son in Primary Four, said: “I’m glad the Government decided to make a wise choice. The PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) kept rising every day, I was worried because the haze can affect his health.”

Another parent, Mr Adrian Koo, who has a Primary Four son, said he was glad that schools are closed. “Now that he’s at home, my wife who is a stay-home mum can keep (tabs) on him and ensure that he doesn’t go out,” added the 38-year-old regional manager.

Most parents have also secured childcare arrangements for the one-day break.

Mdm Noorulain, for instance, is handing her son to her elder daughter, an Institute of Technical Education student who is on vacation. If schools remain close for an extended period, her neighbour could help to look after her son, she added.

Still, most parents said they would be worried if schools are still closed after the weekend, as their children’s academic progress may be affected.

Mr Koo said schools can perhaps leverage on e-learning. “It would be better that way, so my son won’t miss out much if schools continue to be closed,” he said.

With the haze hitting Singapore amid the exam season, some others are concerned about how the closure will affect the last lap of learning.

Mdm Siti Habsah, who has a Primary Six son, fretted that her son may miss out on revision classes ahead of the Primary School Leaving Examinations next week. “This is actually a very crucial period for him, I hope the schools won’t remain closed for long,” said the 37-year-old admin executive. AMANDA LEE