{
  "id": 13865709,
  "title": "Education minister says boarding students should stay in hostels during haze closures if conditions remain safe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/education-minister-says-boarding-students-should-stay-in-hostels-13865709",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T03:39:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/12/education-minister-says-boarding-students-should-stay-in-hostels-during-haze-closures-if-conditions-remain-safe/238769"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Boarding school pupils are advised to remain in their hostels during school closures caused by haze, provided conditions remain safe and their well-being is assured, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek announced via a Facebook post. The recommendation aims to prevent parents from being overwhelmed with the logistics of repeatedly collecting and returning their children to school during multiple closures, Fadhlina explained. The minister acknowledged parents' concerns, urging authorities to announce school closure decisions as early as possible to allow them ample time to organize accordingly. However, Fadhlina highlighted that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings can fluctuate depending on time and location, and decisions on school closures must consider prevailing conditions in each area. The Department of Environment monitors air quality and tackles pollution issues, while the Health Ministry advises on health risks to the public. The Education Ministry, on the other hand, prioritizes student safety and school operations management based on prevailing conditions. Fadhlina emphasized that past experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significant effect of school disruptions on children's learning. Consequently, efforts to address learning loss continue, particularly given the varying availability of home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) facilities among students. The Education Ministry will persist in monitoring the situation through state education departments (JPNs) and district education offices (PPDs) while enhancing information dissemination to parents. Fadhlina expressed gratitude to all parents for their feedback and patience as they navigate this challenging situation.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Boarding school students are advised to remain in their hostels during school closures due...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Haze: Boarding School Students Advised To Remain In Hostels During Closures - Fadhlina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/general-haze-boarding-school-students-advised-to-remain-in-hostels",
        "published": "2026-10-12T01:09:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Education minister says boarding students should stay in hostels during haze closures if conditions remain safe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/education-minister-says-boarding-students-should-stay-in-hostels",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:39:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}