{
  "id": 14902376,
  "title": "Every child has the right to breathe clean air — Sanja Saranovic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/every-child-has-the-right-to-breathe-clean-air-sanja-saranovic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T07:22:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2026/10/16/every-child-has-the-right-to-breathe-clean-air-sanja-saranovic/239335"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The haze crisis in Malaysia has once again disrupted the lives of children, resulting in school closures across several regions. Schools must now close when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 200, and outdoor activities are suspended when readings reach 100 or higher. This leaves many children without access to education, nutritious meals, or the support of their peers and teachers. While closing schools is necessary to protect children's health, it does not address the broader challenges they face when learning from home, particularly those without devices or reliable internet access. Furthermore, some children rely on school for meals or a stable routine, which can be disrupted during closures. The impact on children's motivation, wellbeing, and connections with their peers can also be significant, particularly for those who experience multiple interruptions. Therefore, school closures must be temporary and accompanied by clear communication, flexible learning options, and practical support for children who may lose essential connections. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than adults, as their lungs and immune systems are still developing. In Malaysia, approximately 9 out of 10 children are exposed to harmful air pollution (PM2.5). The Convention on the Rights of the Child requires governments to protect children's rights to life, health, and education, and General Comment No. 26 outlines how these obligations apply to environmental harm, including air pollution. Urgent action is needed to ensure that children are protected during haze episodes and that pollution levels are reduced. This includes preparing families for closures, providing offline learning materials, maintaining health and social support, and developing haze preparedness plans for schools and clinics.",
  "summary": "OCTOBER 16 — The transboundary haze crisis has once again disrupted children’s lives, triggering school clos...",
  "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."
}