Fadhlina urges students to prioritise health amid haze

PUTRAJAYA, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

Education Minister Urges Students to Prioritise Health Amid Haze Crisis as Schools Prepare for Worsening Conditions

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has called on Malaysian students to prioritise their health amid worsening haze conditions, which she said are disrupting learning and requiring urgent preventive measures across the education sector. The warning came as the Ministry of Education (MOE) activated emergency protocols, directing all state education departments and schools to implement strict safety measures if air quality deteriorates further, referencing two circulars issued in 2016 and 2019.

The haze crisis—linked to regional forest fires and dry weather—has forced the ministry to adopt a proactive stance, with Fadhlina acknowledging that prolonged exposure poses risks to students’ well-being and academic performance.

"I want to take this opportunity to remind students to take care of their health, as the haze is presenting us with a challenge, particularly in carrying out the learning process today," she said during the MOE PETAH 2026 ceremony in Putrajaya on Monday (Oct 12). The minister expressed hope that conditions would improve soon, allowing schools to resume normal operations without disruption.

The MOE’s response includes mandatory adherence to Circular No. 5 of 2016, which outlines school preparations for prolonged hot and dry weather, and Circular No. 1 of 2019, detailing measures for schools in haze-affected areas. These directives likely include indoor learning adjustments, distribution of face masks, and monitoring of air quality indices (AQI) to suspend outdoor activities if pollution levels exceed safety thresholds.

The ministry had already issued an alert on Oct 7, instructing all education offices and institutions to prepare contingency plans, though no specific AQI triggers for activation were disclosed.

Beyond the immediate haze crisis, Fadhlina used the ceremony to highlight plans to elevate the PETAH (Pencapaian Tahap Bahasa dan Kemahiran) programme, a national initiative aimed at strengthening proficiency in Bahasa Melayu and English among students. Themed "Language Arts as a Vehicle for Madani Unity", PETAH 2026 features competitions in public speaking (Bahasa Melayu and English), pantun recitation, choral speaking, rhythmic singing, and creative writing.

The minister framed the programme as a talent-nurturing platform, stressing that education must extend beyond academics to build students’ confidence and practical skills.

Prizes were awarded in two categories during the ceremony: Bahasa Melayu and English. In the English debate category, Pahang secured both the Best 2026 Madani Generation Debater and the Education Minister’s Cup Debater titles. In Bahasa Melayu, Kedah won the Education Minister’s Cup Debater title, while Selangor took the Best 2026 Madani Generation Debater runner-up prize. The results reflect regional participation in the programme, which has expanded to include creative works and performance-based assessments.

Fadhlina also recognised teachers’ role in developing students’ abilities, calling their efforts "crucial" in fostering talent. The minister’s remarks align with broader MOE strategies to integrate language proficiency with national unity themes, particularly as Malaysia navigates challenges like the haze, which disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children.

The activation of emergency protocols signals heightened coordination between the ministry, state education departments, and schools, though the absence of real-time AQI data in the statement leaves unanswered questions about the severity of current pollution levels.

The haze crisis has previously triggered school closures and online learning shifts in affected states, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah, where transboundary smoke from Indonesian peatland fires often peaks between August and October. While no immediate school closures were announced in this update, the MOE’s preemptive measures suggest preparations for potential disruptions.

The next critical development will likely depend on meteorological forecasts and fire management efforts in neighbouring regions, with the ministry’s response scaling in tandem with air quality alerts.

Related: Ministry of Education (MOE) · Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek · Putrajaya