{
  "id": 12853109,
  "title": "'Education, Health ministries must meet on measures for haze-forced school closures'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/education-health-ministries-must-meet-on-measures-for-haze-forced",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T11:13:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1550710/education-health-ministries-must-meet-measures-haze-forced-school"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Education and Health ministries must urgently discuss measures for school closures caused by the haze affecting Malaysia. The National Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) has called for this meeting following the decree from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to close schools in areas with prolonged Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of 150 and above. NPTA President, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan, respects the royal decree, expressing concern for students' safety and health amidst unhealthy air quality.\n\nPreviously, guidelines suggested school closures for API readings above 200, indicating very unhealthy levels. Sultan Ibrahim's advice to close schools in affected areas, particularly those with API readings between 150 and 180 for extended periods, necessitates reconsideration of safety concerns. The NPTA suggests partial school closures of half a day at API readings of 150, whether morning or afternoon sessions, and complete closures at 200. Until further decisions from the ministries, they will await guidance.\n\nAli emphasized prioritizing student safety and health, stating that haze can have adverse health effects. He suggested establishing a special advisory committee to reach consensus on school closures, proposing both thresholds — API readings of 150 (partial closure) and 200 (full closure) — if no final decision is made. Sultan Ibrahim's Facebook post echoed these concerns, urging the Education Ministry to prioritize the matter.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Education and Health ministries need to meet immediately to find the best measures for school closures brought on by the haze enveloping the country.",
  "key_points": [
    "Education and Health ministries need to discuss school closure measures for Malaysia's haze.",
    "NPTA President Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan advocates for urgent meeting to address safety concerns.",
    "Partial closures at API 150, full closures at 200 suggested until ministries' guidance."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Bono East Education Directorate invites basic school teachers for SHS/SHTS reposting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/bono-east-education-directorate-invites-basic-school-teachers-for-shs",
        "published": "2026-10-08T12:02:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Peninsula Qatar",
        "title": "Education Ministry adjusts school day during mid-term examinations for 2026-2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/education-ministry-adjusts-school-day-during-mid-term-examinations",
        "published": "2026-10-08T12:06:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}