Education Ministry: Close schools if API exceeds 200
PETALING JAYA: State Education Departments, District Education Offices and educational institutions under the Education Ministry have been told to take immediate steps if the haze worsens in ...
Source: The Star (Malaysia) on MSN · Malay Mail on MSN · October 8, 2026 at 1:32 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceKUALA LUMPUR, 8 OCTOBER 2026 —
PETALING JAYA, Oct 7 2026 – The Education Ministry said schools must be shut immediately in any area where the Air Pollutant Index (API) tops 200, and all outdoor activities involving students must be halted when the API exceeds 100, as haze conditions worsen across several parts of Malaysia.
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The directive, issued to state education departments (Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri, JPN), district education offices (Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah, PPD) and all institutions under the ministry, is presented as a precautionary measure to protect the health, safety and well‑being of students. The ministry instructed the education agencies to monitor haze and API readings closely and to act without delay according to the thresholds set out in the circular.
In line with the new guidelines, the Johor Education Department (JPN Johor) has already ordered the temporary closure of schools in Batu Pahat. The closure will remain in force until conditions are deemed safe and further instructions are issued. To minimise disruption, the ministry said Home‑Based Teaching and Learning (Pembelajaran dan Pengajaran di Rumah, PdPR) will be rolled out where feasible, taking into account the prevailing haze, heat and the health of pupils.
The circular spells out specific actions for different API levels. “For areas recording API readings above 100, all outdoor activities involving students must be stopped, including sports and gatherings,” the ministry said.
“For areas where API readings exceed 200, all schools within the affected area or district must be closed immediately.” The ministry also warned that schools should postpone any outdoor programmes when weather is excessively hot or hazy, and that they must monitor activities that could expose students to haze‑related health risks.
Beyond closures, the ministry emphasised the need for adequate drinking water supplies. Schools are to encourage pupils to bring their own water and to drink sufficient amounts to regulate body temperature. Boarding schools, in particular, must provide clean drinking water if conditions become critical and no alternative source is available.
The ministry added that schools should stay vigilant and cooperate with nearby clinics and hospitals should any student develop health complications linked to haze or extreme heat.
To ensure consistent implementation, the ministry directed all education agencies and institutions to track API readings through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System. It also reminded schools to refer to existing ministry circulars that outline protective measures for prolonged hot, dry weather and severe haze episodes.
The move comes as haze episodes have intensified in recent weeks, prompting concerns over air quality in urban and rural districts alike. By linking school operations directly to real‑time API data, the ministry aims to standardise responses and reduce the risk of exposure for children, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory irritants.
The immediate impact on the education calendar is expected to be most pronounced in the affected districts, where classes will shift to home‑based learning until the API falls below the 200 threshold. The ministry did not specify a timeline for resumption, stating that further instructions will be issued once conditions improve.