Schools here well-equipped to respond, take appropriate haze management measures: MOE

SINGAPORE — Ahead of schools reopening on Monday (Sept 16) after the September holidays, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has assured parents that the ministry and schools are ready to respond and take appropriate haze management measures.

In a press release on Sunday, the MOE said that all classes of primary and secondary schools — as well as MOE Kindergartens and Special Education schools — have been equipped with air purifiers to “enhance the well-being of students during a haze situation”.

The ministry added that teachers will be on the lookout for students who are unwell or have pre-existing lung or heart conditions.

Parents are also advised to ensure that their children have their medication, such as inhalers for asthma, with them at all times.

The MOE said that it will consider closing schools when the air quality forecast for the next day is “Hazardous” — when the 24-hour PSI reading is above 300 — as was the case in 2015.

The 24-hour PSI, updated hourly on the National Environment Agency’s (NEA’s) website, takes into account, among other types of pollutants, tiny air particles known as PM2.5, which refers to particulate matter that is up to 2.5 micrometres, or microns, in size.

These particles are among the potentially most harmful to human health, and the main pollutant during haze.

As of 4pm on Sunday, the 24-hour PSI was between 102 and 110, in the “Unhealthy” range.

The ministry added that it is mindful of the disruptions to families’ care arrangement for their child when making any decision to close schools.

“(The MOE) will take into consideration all available information, health advisories and forecasts from the relevant authorities regarding the next day’s haze situation,” the ministry said.

It added that should school closures coincide with national examinations such as the Primary School Leaving Examination, the affected examination papers will be rescheduled and the examination period extended.