Schools In High-API Areas Ordered Closed As Haze Conditions Worsen Across Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 – All educational institutions under the Ministry of Education (MoE) located in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeding 180 will be closed starting Friday, October 9, 2026, amid deteriorating haze conditions nationwide.

Education Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad announced the decision following a decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, prioritizing student and staff health amidst escalating air pollution.

Additionally, educational institutions in areas maintaining API readings above 150 continuously for three consecutive days are required to cease physical operations starting Monday, October 12, 2026.

“MoE expresses its appreciation for His Majesty’s concern and decree regarding the safety and health of students following the haze situation affecting the country,” Mohd Azam stated in an official release on Thursday evening.

Home-Based Learning Directives and High-API Hotspots

The Ministry has mandated structured home-based learning frameworks while allowing work-from-home arrangements for education personnel:

• Home-Based Learning (PdPR): Affected schools must transition immediately to home-based teaching and learning methods adapted to student accessibility and teacher readiness to prevent learning disruptions.
• Work-From-Home Approval: Based on considerations by the Education Minister, teachers and support staff at closed institutions are permitted to work from home throughout the closure period.
• Regional Monitoring: State Education Departments, District Education Offices, and school administrators must track local Department of Environment (DoE) API readings continuously to enforce closures when thresholds are crossed.
• National API Conditions: As of 3:00 PM Thursday, 38 areas across Peninsular Malaysia registered unhealthy API levels, led by Segamat in Johor (190), Seremban (186), Nilai (185), Kluang (181), alongside Rompin and Johan Setia (178 each).

The MoE confirmed it will continue consulting with the Ministry of Health and environmental authorities to safeguard public health and determine the reopening timeline for affected schools.

–NMT