I read some Facebook posts of some undergraduates on Facebook. It is so surprising to see that universities and colleges in Klang Valley are operating as usual.

Firstly, the API reading around Klang Valley shows a very unhealthy reading and all of us are advised to reduce outdoor activities. But yet this problem doesn’t seem to bother the higher education institutions’ management.

For instance, students in Universiti Malaya (UM) were advised to stay safe and drink more water, while the university management will be delivering facial masks. It is weird and shocking to see the reason given by the vice-chancellor of UM, which is that it would be difficult to replace the classes if they announce holidays.

Secondly, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has also announced a water disruption issue officially around the Klang Valley. This clearly shows that the students who stay in hostels will be affected badly due to the insufficient water supply. This will eventually make situation worse as the students don’t have the capacity to save water more than a pail generally.

All of us know that bathing and facing wash frequently will help to reduce the effects of haze to the skin. Sadly, the students are having tough time to relieve themselves from the problems that will be created by the unfavourable condition of haze.

The parents from different parts of the nation are also very much worried about the condition of their children as they couldn’t do much to avoid the plight that will be faced by their children who are far away from them.

The Education Ministry should not only announce holiday to schools, forgetting another stratum of students as they are the future of this nation, too. The universities’ management should also be more considerate on the needs of the undergraduates, besides considering difficulties that will be faced by the management in cancelling the classes.

I feel very sorry for the affected undergraduates as the nation and the managements, too, have forgotten you. Stay safe, all of you.