The Education Ministry’s school closure thresholds amid the ongoing haze situation should be set on a scientific basis guided by public health expert advice, said Bersama.

Party spokespersons Adawiyah Sulaiman and Seah Jhen Pei highlighted that “significant” changes to the Education Ministry’s school closure policy in recent days have raised questions about the scientific basis and public health considerations behind such calls.

The duo’s statement today followed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s Oct 14 announcement that schools will now only be closed in areas where the API exceeds 200, with outdoor classroom activities suspended in localities recording an above-100 reading.

The update came after the ministry lowered the threshold for closing educational institutions under its jurisdiction amid the worsening haze on Oct 8.