Haze: Schools in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu open tomorrow

Kuala Lumpur - Schools in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will resume their regular schedules tomorrow, as air pollutant index readings in the three states remain within acceptable limits, according to Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek. The decision to reopen schools comes after monitoring data from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System showed readings below 100 at all stations in these states as of 8pm on the previous day.

Kemaman in Terengganu recorded the highest reading at 89, while Sungai Petani in Kedah and Kota Bharu in Kelantan recorded readings of 80 and 76 respectively. These figures fall within the moderate range of 51 to 100, which is below the unhealthy threshold of 101. Initially, on October 8, Fadhlina announced the closure of schools in several other states due to worsening haze conditions.

The Education Ministry has set guidelines that require institutions in areas with Air Pollutant Index readings above 180 to close from October 9, and those with readings above 150 for three consecutive days to close from October 12.