JOHOR BARU: Schools in Pasir Gudang will remain closed until the term break next week, said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
He said the decision was made after a briefing with the authorities and experts who are involved in the chemical dump issue at Pasir Gudang.
“Following the briefing, it was decided that the schools could not reopen yet. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure," he said in a press conference after visiting the medic base at the Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium.
During the visit, he was also briefed on the latest situation by the relevant agencies.
According to Maszlee, the ministry would decide if the schools could reopen after the term break ends.
On March 13, the ministry announced that all 111 schools in Pasir Gudang would be closed following the illegal chemical dump in Sungai Kim Kim which caused a number of students to fall sick after inhaling toxic fumes.
In Johor, the school term break begins on March 22 until March 30.
On whether the schools will need to replace the off days, Maszlee said there was no decision yet.
"Our main concern now is the safety and health of students and school staff," he said, adding that there are also no changes in the dates of the public examinations.
Earlier, Maszlee visited the victims at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.