{
  "id": 14941384,
  "title": "Schools to stay open; O-level exams may be postponed if haze turns hazardous: Desmond Lee",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/schools-to-stay-open-o-level-exams-may-be-postponed-if-haze-turns",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T11:12:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Singapore",
    "slug": "the-business-times-singapore",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/schools-stay-open-o-level-exams-may-be-postponed-if-haze-turns-hazardous-desmond-lee"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Education Minister Desmond Lee has announced that schools will remain open and O-Level and A-Level exams will proceed as scheduled, despite concerns about air quality. Written O-Level papers are set to begin on October 19 and run until November 10, while A-Level exams continue on October 19 and 22, followed by main written papers starting on November 2. However, if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast exceeds hazardous levels of 300, the Ministry of Education (MOE) may consider rescheduling O-Level papers and moving to home-based learning for younger students. Older students are less likely to be affected, but the ministry will consider actual circumstances in deciding whether examinations should proceed. If students feel unwell and are unable to take or continue with an exam, they should consult a doctor, obtain a medical certificate, and apply for special consideration through their schools. Schools will guide students through the necessary procedure, and any affected papers will be rescheduled to the earliest practicable date. Lee emphasized the importance of verifying information through official channels to avoid misinformation circulating on social media.",
  "summary": "Lee cautions against misinformation about school closures circulating on social media",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Singapore",
        "title": "MOE to consider closing schools, O-level exams may be postponed if haze turns hazardous: Desmond Lee",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/moe-to-consider-closing-schools-o-level-exams-may-be-postponed-if",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:12:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}