Jerebu: Schools in five states, Putrajaya resume operations on Monday

PUTRAJAYA, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Reuters) – Schools that were shut after a haze episode in Melaka, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and the federal territory of Putrajaya will resume normal operations on Monday, while only two districts in Kuala Lumpur will reopen their classrooms.

By contrast, schools in the Bangsar/Pudu area will remain closed because the API at the CA16W Cheras monitoring station stayed at an unhealthy 152, and remote learning will continue there until further notice.

In Perak, the Ministry of Education confirmed that all schools will operate as usual after every monitoring station in the state recorded API readings below the 150 threshold by Sunday afternoon. The Putrajaya Education Department (JPWPP) reported a similar situation, with the capital’s API at 70 and a three‑day downward trend, prompting a full reopening of its schools.

The Melaka State Education Department (JPN Melaka) also said its schools will reopen on Monday, subject to official confirmation of the latest API figures. Education departments in Pahang and Negeri Sembilan gave the same assurance that institutions under their jurisdiction will be back in session from Monday.

The closures were triggered by a regional haze event that prompted authorities to suspend in‑person classes when API levels rose above the 150 mark, a threshold deemed unsafe for students and staff. Monitoring stations across the affected states have been reporting daily readings, and the recent three‑day drop in API levels has allowed education officials to lift remote‑learning orders in most areas.

Reopening schools is significant for Malaysia’s education system and broader economy because prolonged closures disrupt learning outcomes, increase reliance on digital infrastructure and impose additional costs on families and employers of teaching staff. Restoring classroom instruction also helps stabilise ancillary services such as school transport and catering, which contribute to local economic activity.

All education agencies said they will keep a close watch on air‑quality data and will issue further directives if API levels rise again. Official notifications confirming the reopening will be circulated to schools, and any future adjustments to the PdPR or BDR arrangements will be communicated as soon as new readings become available.

Related: Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department · Putrajaya