SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — Schools in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 180 will shut from tomorrow, said the Education Ministry (MOE).
MOE director-general Datuk Mohd Azam Ahmad said the directive is only for its institutions, and also applies to schools in areas with API scores above 150 for three straight days, effective Monday.
He added that the measure aims to ensure student and school staff health and safety as air quality nationwide worsens with the haze.
“All education institutions under MOE in areas with API readings above 180, based on the Environment Department’s (DOE) records, must close from Friday, October 9, 2026.
“For areas recording API readings above 150 for three days in a row must close from Monday, October 12, 2026,” Azam said in a statement today.
At 9pm today, three areas logged API scores above 180 — Negeri Sembilan’s Nilai (184) and Seremban (189), and Johor’s Segamat (189).
In Selangor, Johan Setia had an API reading of 178, right under the threshold, followed by Banting (172) and Shah Alam (171).
Azam said schools closed due to haze must conduct lessons online, and consider students’ capabilities, access and needs, as well as teachers’ preparedness.
He added that teachers and school staff are allowed to work from home while schools are closed.
He also said State Education Departments (JPN), District Education Offices (PPD), and schools must monitor API readings and take appropriate action when the scores exceed established thresholds.
He said MOE will keep an eye on haze updates and obtain advice from the Health Ministry (MOH) and agencies concerned to ensure student and school staff’s safety, health and welfare.
Azam added that MOE’s decision was made after taking into account the decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, about keeping students safe and healthy during the haze.
