{
  "id": 15316932,
  "title": "Haze: Schools, educational institutions in Johor to close for another five days from tomorrow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/haze-schools-educational-institutions-in-johor-to-close-for-another",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T00:53:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/18/haze-schools-educational-institutions-in-johor-to-close-for-another-five-days-from-tomorrow/239516"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 18, the government of Johor extended the closure of schools and educational institutions in the state for an additional five days, beginning from October 19. This decision was made by the Johor Haze Management Coordination Committee following a meeting, as reported by Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, the State Education and Information Committee chairman. The extension was necessary due to the persistent haze and its impact on air quality, as indicated by monitoring reports showing concerning levels of Air Pollutant Index (API) readings with no significant improvement. The closure was also influenced by wind movement towards the north and weather forecasts for the upcoming three to four days. The state government's decision prioritized public health and safety, in line with the Regent of Johor's directive, Tunku Mahkota Ismail. All schools will continue their Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) during the closure, in accordance with the MOE's PdPR Manual Version 2.0. However, the needs of students taking examinations and assessments would be considered, with limited exceptions allowed. These exceptions would require coordination by the Johor Education Department and strict adherence to health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with no additional activities permitted. Educational institutions and childcare centers were urged to follow established guidelines, including wearing face masks. Health authorities have expressed concerns over the public health risks of prolonged exposure to air pollution, particularly for children and vulnerable groups, after recording 30,648 cases of asthma and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in October, a 20.7 percent weekly increase. The state government had previously announced a closure of all schools for two days from October 8, which was then extended to cover educational institutions for another five days from October 12.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 18 — The Johor government has extended the closure of schools and educational institutions across...",
  "key_points": [
    "Johor schools close for five more days starting October 19",
    "Haze and poor air quality prompt closure decision",
    "PdPR continues, exams exceptions considered with health SOPs"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prolonged school closures and the shift to home learning highlight the growing public health threat posed by deteriorating air quality and rising respiratory infection rates across the state.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze: Schools, educational institutions in Johor to close for another five days from tomorrow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/haze-schools-educational-institutions-in-johor-to-close-for-another-15319132",
        "published": "2026-10-18T00:53:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}