[UPDATED] Haze: MoE institutions with API above 180 to shut from tomorrow

Education Minister's decree will see all Ministry of Education (MoE) educational institutions in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 180 close starting tomorrow. Education Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad announced this decision, citing safety and health concerns for students amid the ongoing haze. These institutions, identified by the Department of Environment (DoE), must cease operations from Friday.

In addition, schools in areas where API readings exceed 150 for three consecutive days will also close from Monday. MoE-affiliated schools are required to transition to home-based teaching and learning arrangements during this closure period. This decision ensures that lessons continue while considering students' capabilities, access, needs, and teachers' readiness, as emphasized by Azam.

Furthermore, teachers and support staff will be permitted to work remotely throughout the closure duration following the education minister's consideration. State education departments, district education offices, and MoE-affiliated institutions must monitor API readings closely and take necessary actions when thresholds are surpassed. The primary objective of these measures is to safeguard students and education personnel from potential health risks posed by prolonged exposure to haze.

Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim expressed concern over the health and safety of schoolchildren in areas with API readings between 150 and 180 and urged the Education Ministry to address the issue. The King made this statement via his official Facebook page, underscoring the urgency of the situation.