Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat, Aljunied GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) what temperatures classrooms reach with doors and windows closed and air purifiers running, as NEA advises purifiers otherwise "may not work at the specified performance ratings"; and (b) as the Ministry’s haze plan places unwell students in "an air-conditioned room with an air purifier", whether classrooms will be air-conditioned for use whenever the 24-hour PSI exceeds 100.
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Valerie Lee, Pasir Ris-Changi GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education in view of recurring haze episodes (a) whether the Ministry will review its school infrastructure standards to incorporate more classrooms with air-conditioning and air filtration capabilities, particularly in new schools and those undergoing major upgrading; and (b) whether a phased implementation approach can be considered to strengthen schools’ resilience against future haze episodes.
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Assoc Prof Terence Ho, Nominated Member of Parliament
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has assessed temperature and carbon dioxide levels in classrooms when windows are closed and air purifiers are operating during haze episodes; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider supplementing existing air purifiers with filtered fresh-air ventilation systems or other measures to maintain adequate ventilation and thermal comfort in classrooms during prolonged haze episodes.
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Hany Soh, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the reported number of student absences due to the present haze situation; and (b) how is the Ministry supporting these students to ensure that they are focused on recovery and not unduly concerned with falling behind schoolwork.
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Diana Pang Li Yen, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry will consider moving primary and secondary schools to home-based learning when the actual or forecast 24-hour PSI exceeds 200; (b) what medical evidence supports continuing classroom lessons in the Very Unhealthy range; and (c) how we can better protect children from exposure to unhealthy haze levels during commutes and at school.
Combined Response
1. Mr Speaker, my response will also cover the matters raised in the questions by Ms Valerie Lee, Ms Hany Soh and Assoc Prof Terence Ho for today’s Sitting, as well as Ms Diana Pang’s question for the Sitting on 4 Nov.
2. The Ministry of Education’s priority during a haze situation is the health and well-being of our students and staff. We refer to MOH’s health advisory and NEA's 24-hour PSI forecast the evening before, to plan school operations and activities for the next day. This also gives parents and students advance notice. On the actual day itself, our schools monitor the 1-hour PM2.5 readings as these reflect on-the-ground haze conditions. Our schools can then adjust the measures on the ground based on actual conditions, so as to safeguard the health and well-being of our students and staff.
3. When the PM2.5 hourly reading is in the elevated range (56 – 150), schools will turn on air purifiers in the classrooms and close the doors and windows. To improve ventilation and thermal comfort, schools may reopen doors and windows periodically, such as between lessons, during recess, or when the PM2.5 reading improves, while the air purifiers continue to filter the air. Classroom fans, which have been upgraded to more powerful ones in recent years, remain switched on to enhance air circulation. Schools may also deploy standing fans or air coolers, where needed, for classrooms that are warmer.
4. While heat can rise in enclosed classrooms and cause discomfort, air quality levels remain within regulatory guidelines for safe and adequate ventilation. When windows and doors are opened between lessons, even for a short time, both temperature and carbon dioxide levels fall to the prevailing naturally ventilated ambient conditions. Students are also allowed to attend lessons in lighter uniform options such as PE attire.
5. Prolonged haze conditions can make it more challenging to balance indoor air quality, ventilation and thermal comfort in our schools. In school halls, we are completing the implementation of mixed-mode cooling where air-conditioning is used with fans in a targeted and energy-efficient manner. As shared during the Committee of Supply debate earlier this year, MOE is studying how to extend mixed-mode cooling to classrooms and we will give an update when ready.
6. When the PM 2.5 hourly reading reaches the high range (151-250), schools can continue to operate safely with the appropriate measures in place. Schools will avoid outdoor activities and strenuous indoor physical activities, and students will remain in enclosed indoor spaces with air purifiers. This approach is also in line with guidelines in other countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
7. While students will have some outdoor exposure when travelling to and from school, these journeys generally involve short periods of outdoor exposure, which can be undertaken safely.
8. If the 24-hour PSI forecast for the following day is in the Hazardous range, i.e. 301 and above, MOE will consider closing schools and transitioning to Home-based Learning for younger students from preschool to secondary level because children are advised to avoid outdoor activity at such air quality levels.
9. MOE does not track student absences due to the haze or other reasons. Students who are unwell should focus on their recovery. Schools will provide relevant learning materials and help them catch up on missed lessons, where necessary, when they return.