Bangkok: "Supamas" requests universities to open demonstration schools for parents to drop off their children, emphasizing the prohibition of outdoor activities or areas that pose a health risk. Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), revealed that the MHESI has requested cooperation from higher education institutions in areas where PM 2.5 exceeds the standard to consider organizing online teaching and learning, including demonstration schools under the supervision of such higher education institutions, in order to reduce and avoid exposure to PM 2.5 dust for students, lecturers, and personnel of higher education institutions, which can have negative effects on health. The request for cooperation does not mean a closure, but rather for higher education institutions to assess the situation and exercise discretion as appropriate for each area, along with requesting support measures, to which all higher education institutions have provided excellent coope ration and considered organizing teaching and learning appropriately.
According to Thai News Agency, there is feedback from parents of demonstration schools that they are not comfortable taking care of their children while they have to go to work. Therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation has requested cooperation from higher education institutions to provide support measures. For parents who are not comfortable, they can bring their children to the school, but they must take care not to let the students do outdoor activities or in areas that pose a health risk.
'The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation is doing its best to take care of all our students, learners, and staff by reducing activities that pose health risks during the current severe PM 2.5 dust situation. These measures may affect or cause inconvenience in some cases, but we are trying to adjust and be flexible to take care of everyone as best as possible,' said Ms. Supamas.