KUALA LUMPUR: All schools in Pasir Gudang will reopen on March 31 following positive results from the cleaning up process at Sungai Kim Kim.
Johor Education Department deputy director Azman Adnan via a statement said sanitation works would be done at all schools before they reopen.
“State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) has decided to stop the Sungai Kim Kim Ops and close the Disaster Operation Control Centre (PKOB) as the cleaning up process of the toxic pollutants had shown positive results.
“Therefore, all schools (currently) closed in Pasir Gudang will reopen on Sunday, March 31.
“Cleaning works at the schools will be done by the school management, Parent Teachers Associations (PTA), the communities, governmental agencies, non-governmental organisations and local private sectors,” he said.
Azman said cleaning up process at the schools would not involve students and to be conducted according to the schools’ standard operating procedures.
On March 14, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik directed 111 schools in Pasir Gudang to be closed following reports of toxic contaminations on March 7, based on the feedback from the State Disaster Management Committee.
On March 17, it was reported that the 1.5km stretch along Sungai Kim Kim has been cleared of the toxic contaminants.
A total of 5,848 people had sought treatment after showing symptoms believed to be from toxic fumes inhalation due to contamination at Sungai Kim Kim.