{
  "id": 13948391,
  "title": "Pahang closes schools in Kuantan, Rompin as haze worsens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/pahang-closes-schools-in-kuantan-rompin-as-haze-worsens",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T11:53:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1553902/pahang-closes-schools-kuantan-rompin-haze-worsens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pahang's Education Department announced the closure of schools in Kuantan and Rompin on October 13 due to worsening haze. All educational institutions in the two districts will temporarily halt operations until further notice, pending instructions from the authorities. The decision comes after the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeded safe levels, reaching 162 in Balok Baru, Kuantan and 155 in Rompin.\n\nDuring the closure, schools will shift to Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) methods, tailored to students' abilities, access, needs, and teachers' readiness. The reopening of schools will be communicated through official department channels once it is deemed safe.\n\nEducational institutions have been directed to minimize activities that could expose students and the education community to unhealthy air. Students, teachers, and the community are advised to take necessary health precautions. Continuous monitoring will be conducted by the district education offices and relevant agencies in collaboration with the department.\n\nAs of 5pm, two monitoring stations in Pahang recorded unhealthy air quality. The API reading in Kuantan at Balok Baru was 162, while Rompin recorded 155. Last Friday, all educational institutions in Rompin were temporarily shut down due to worsening haze.",
  "summary": "KUANTAN: Schools in Kuantan and Rompin will be closed tomorrow due to worsening haze, the Pahang Education Department said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}