PSLE to proceed on Oct 1, hazy conditions expected to persist

SINGAPORE - The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) will begin as scheduled on Thursday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has clarified.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, MOE said that with the National Environment Agency's (NEA) 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast for Thursday expected to remain in the 'Unhealthy' or 'Very Unhealthy' range, schools will remain open and national examinations will proceed as scheduled.

According to MOE's national examinations timetables, the PSLE written examinations are scheduled to take place from Thursday, Oct 1, until next Wednesday, Oct 7.

In its statement, MOE stressed that the safety and well-being of all exam candidates remained a top priority.

"Schools have made arrangements for all national examinations candidates to take their papers in enclosed spaces. Air purifiers will also be provided so that it is safe for the examinations to continue without disruption, even if haze conditions unexpectedly worsen during the period of the examinations," the ministry explained in its statement.

MOE said that candidates with underlying medical conditions or who feel unwell should seek medical attention. "Those who are medically certified unwell and are unable to sit for the examinations should inform their schools," it added.

The ministry also emphasised that current processes for candidates who are taken ill during national examinations will also be activated for candidates who are unable to take the exams due to haze-related illnesses.

"Candidates who feel unwell while taking the examinations should inform the examination invigilators immediately. Schools and examination centres are prepared and ready to handle such situations," MOE clarified, adding that those candidates will not be penalised or disadvantaged.

In its forecast, NEA said that hazy conditions in Singapore persisted on Wednesday, with the 24-hour PSI staying within the Unhealthy range.

As of 8pm on Wednesday, air quality remained unhealthy with the 24-hour PSI between 128 and 159. The 3-hour PSI was 168.

The current hazy conditions are expected to persist tomorrow due to the large extent of prevailing haze in the region.

NEA also revealed that it had sent a Preventive Measures Notice to another Indonesian firm, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau.

This is in addition to earlier notices sent to four Indonesian companies on Friday, Sep 25.

For more haze updates, visit NEA's haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg)

For more haze updates from AsiaOne, click here:

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