For the fourth day in a row, the red flag has been flown in front of the Baan Phra Non in Don Kaew subdistrict of Mae Rim.
Signaling air pollution at hazardous levels, the flag is a warning for its 206 students and 15 teachers to take refuge in the school’s three Safety Zones – sealed rooms with air purifiers.
“Our area suffers more than many others from air pollution,” said Narong Apaijai, director of the school and it is already affecting many of our students who are suffering from respiratory problems. We therefore have a flag system – white, yellow and red – to warn students of varying degrees of pollution and warning them against outdoor activities.”
The school’s safety zones are air-conditioned, unlike other school rooms, and reserved for the most vulnerable of students.
“We are also instilling environmental awareness amongst our students,” continued the director. “We collect and compost leaves, we recycle, we ask students to go home and spread the message to their families and neighbours not to burn and we are educating our children about this crisis.”