Schools to close if API exceeds 180, or remains above 150 for 3 days: Education Ministry

All schools in areas with air pollutant index (API) readings exceeding 180 will close tomorrow, according to the education ministry's announcement. These schools are expected to shift to online learning instead of traditional classroom instruction. Education director-general Azam Ahmad revealed that areas recording API readings of over 150 for three consecutive days will commence closures from the following Monday, October 12.

As of 7:30 PM, three locations in Johor and Negeri Sembilan—Segamat (190), Seremban (189), and Nilai (183)—have API readings surpassing 180. Teachers and school administrators are permitted to work remotely during the closures. The ministry urges schools to ensure that learning continues through alternative methods depending on their resources and requirements.

State education departments, district education offices, and educational institutions will continuously monitor the situation and take necessary actions when API readings surpass the specified levels. The ministry will continue to gather advice from the health ministry and other agencies to safeguard the well-being of students, teachers, and administrators.

Earlier, the king's son, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, directed that schools in areas with an API reading of 150 or higher for several days must close immediately. Currently, the standard operating procedure requires schools to close when air quality reaches the "very unhealthy" API readings of 201 or above.