Johor extends school closures to Oct 16 as haze worsens

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

The southern Malaysian state of Johor has extended the closure of all schools and educational institutions until October 16, a decision driven by worsening haze conditions that have blanketed the region.

This latest move extends an initial closure that began on Thursday, October 8, when Johor first suspended classes in response to deteriorating air quality. The decision to prolong the shutdown was made after a careful assessment of current air pollution trends and the specific health hazards facing the education community.

By maintaining the closure through mid-October, the state government aims to protect the well-being of its population during a period of heightened environmental risk, a stance that aligns with the broader regional response to the transboundary haze crisis.

Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, the chairman of the Johor education and information committee, stated that the decision was made in deference to the decree of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail. Naqib emphasized that the Regent consistently prioritizes the safety, health, and well-being of the people of Johor, a principle that underpinned the committee’s final determination.

The announcement highlighted that the closure is not merely a reactive measure but a strategic response to specific meteorological and environmental data gathered in the days leading up to the decision.

Key factors in the assessment included projected wind movements from Indonesia’s Kalimantan region, specifically between October 13 and October 15. Naqib noted that these wind patterns could carry transboundary air pollution into Johor, further degrading air quality and exacerbating the health risks for residents. By anticipating these shifts, the state government sought to prevent a potential spike in pollution levels that could have forced an even more abrupt or prolonged disruption to educational activities.

The reliance on such specific meteorological forecasts underscores the technical basis for the administrative decision, linking local policy directly to regional environmental dynamics.

The scale of the disruption is substantial, affecting 1,198 schools and 617,258 students across the state. According to reports from The Star, the closure encompasses both schools under the administration of the federal education ministry and state government religious schools. This widespread impact necessitates a coordinated approach to academic continuity, ensuring that the pause in physical attendance does not result in a loss of instructional time.

The inclusion of both public and religious educational institutions reflects the comprehensive nature of the state’s response to the public health emergency.

To mitigate the academic impact, Naqib stressed that all academic assessments and examinations originally scheduled during the closure period would be postponed and rescheduled. These adjustments will be made in accordance with guidelines from the Johor Education Department and relevant education authorities, ensuring a standardized approach across different school types.

Furthermore, home-based teaching and learning will continue where appropriate, a measure designed to ensure that students' learning is not disrupted despite the physical closure of campuses. This hybrid approach aims to maintain educational momentum while prioritizing the health and safety of the student body.

As of 9am on Sunday, October 11, 15 areas in Malaysia had air quality classified as “unhealthy,” with eight of these areas located in Johor. Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index (API) defines the “unhealthy” category as ranging from 101 to 200, while “very unhealthy” spans from 201 to 300, and “hazardous” conditions are recorded above 300.

The concentration of unhealthy readings in Johor highlights the severity of the local haze situation, which has prompted the state to take more stringent measures than other regions. The data serves as a critical indicator for policymakers, justifying the continued suspension of in-person educational activities in the most affected zones.

The Johor state government has committed to continuing its monitoring of air quality in close cooperation with relevant agencies. Naqib indicated that any further decisions regarding the reopening of educational institutions will be announced through official channels after a thorough consideration of the latest air quality developments and health and safety assessments.

This ongoing monitoring ensures that the resumption of classes will be based on verified improvements in air quality, rather than arbitrary timelines, thereby safeguarding the long-term health of the education community while maintaining the integrity of the academic calendar.