Perak tentukan sekolah dibuka Isnin ikut IPU Ahad

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

The operational status of schools across all districts in Perak for the coming Monday will be determined strictly by the Air Pollution Index (IPU) readings recorded on Sunday, according to state education authorities.

Perak Exco for Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports, Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah, stated that the final decision on school closures or openings is expected to be announced after 2 p.m. on Sunday. The determination will take into account the prevailing air quality levels, with the primary objective of safeguarding the safety and well-being of students.

He emphasized that the administration is prioritizing the physical health of pupils over the continuity of in-person instruction when environmental conditions pose a risk.

Datuk Khairudin explained that any district continuing to record an IPU at the "unhealthy" level on Sunday will see its schools closed for Monday. He noted that the implementation of closure measures is a direct response to hazardous air conditions, ensuring that children are not exposed to pollutants that could compromise their health.

The decision-making process is reactive to real-time data, meaning that the specific districts affected will vary depending on the pollution levels recorded in each area on the day of assessment.

Speaking at a press conference held during the 2026 National Sports Day (HSN) State Level Perak ceremony at the Perak Youth and Sports Complex in Ipoh on Saturday morning, Datuk Khairudin outlined the criteria for these decisions.

He stated, “Based on the readings on Sunday, if there are still districts recording an unhealthy IPU, the process of closing schools will certainly be implemented because what is important is that we want to ensure the safety and well-being of our students in those districts.” This statement underscores the state government’s commitment to a precautionary approach in managing public health risks associated with air pollution.

The current situation follows recent directives issued for three specific districts: Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan, and Kuala Kangsar. Schools in these areas were previously ordered to close after IPU readings exceeded the threshold of 180, which indicates severe air pollution levels. The closure of these districts highlights the localized nature of the pollution crisis, where certain areas are more heavily impacted than others, necessitating a district-by-district assessment rather than a blanket state-wide closure or opening.

For schools that are ordered to close due to poor air quality, the state education department has confirmed that teaching and learning processes will continue through the Home-Based Learning (PdPR) method. This ensures that the academic curriculum is not disrupted despite the physical closure of school premises. The shift to remote learning allows students to remain at home, thereby avoiding exposure to polluted air, while still maintaining their educational progress.

The use of PdPR serves as a critical contingency plan to balance public health safety with educational continuity.

The reliance on Sunday’s IPU readings introduces a degree of uncertainty for parents and educators, as the final status of schools will only be known late in the day. This timeline requires families to remain flexible and prepared for potential changes in their children’s schedules. The state government’s approach reflects a broader trend in Malaysia where environmental health concerns are increasingly influencing public policy decisions, particularly in sectors as sensitive as education.

The focus on the IPU threshold of 180 serves as a clear benchmark for action, providing a transparent metric for when closures are mandated.

The announcement of the 2026 National Sports Day ceremony context in which these remarks were made suggests that the state government is addressing these logistical and health concerns amidst broader public engagements. However, the immediate priority remains the management of air quality impacts on the education sector.

The decision to close schools in Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan, and Kuala Kangsar previously demonstrates the government’s willingness to enforce closures when necessary, setting a precedent for the upcoming Monday’s decisions.

As the state prepares for the Sunday assessment, stakeholders are advised to monitor official channels for the announcement expected after 2 p.m. The integration of health safety into educational planning highlights the evolving nature of school operations in the face of environmental challenges. The state’s strategy ensures that no student is placed in a situation where their health is at risk due to poor air quality, reinforcing the principle that safety supersedes routine operations.

The potential for further closures in other districts depends entirely on the environmental data collected on Sunday. If IPU levels remain below the unhealthy threshold in other areas, schools in those districts may operate normally. This dynamic approach allows for a targeted response to pollution hotspots, minimizing disruption to the wider state while protecting those in the most affected zones.

The coordination between environmental monitoring and educational administration is crucial for the effective implementation of these measures.

The use of the term "unhealthy" for IPU readings aligns with standard air quality classification systems, providing a clear indicator for the public. By linking school operations directly to these scientific metrics, the state government aims to build trust and transparency in its decision-making process. The emphasis on the well-being of students in Datuk Khairudin’s remarks reflects a broader societal concern for the long-term health impacts of air pollution on the younger generation.

In conclusion, the operational status of Perak’s schools for Monday is contingent on the Sunday IPU readings, with a clear protocol in place for closures in areas where air quality is deemed unsafe. The previous closures in Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan, and Kuala Kangsar serve as a recent example of this protocol in action. The state’s commitment to using PdPR for closed schools ensures that education continues uninterrupted, even when physical attendance is not possible.

This balanced approach addresses both the immediate health risks and the ongoing educational needs of students in Perak.