{
  "id": 16458895,
  "title": "Haze: Johor schools to reopen in phases, exam candidates first",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/haze-johor-schools-to-reopen-in-phases-exam-candidates-first",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T09:30:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1563236/haze-johor-schools-reopen-phases-exam-candidates-first"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johor schools will gradually resume operations, with students taking exams coming first, according to state authorities. Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, chairman of the Johor Education and Information Committee, announced the phased reopening on Friday, stating that the decision was based on the advice of Johor's Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail. The Regent emphasized the importance of protecting the wellbeing and health of the people in Johor. The first wave of reopening will see only students sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (UASA) examinations taking part in the first two days, with preparation time given to school administrators and teachers. Philip Naqib said that the second phase, resuming full operations for all schools in Johor, would commence on Wednesday, contingent on air quality improvements. The Johor Education Department will oversee the implementation of health and safety standard operating procedures, including mask-wearing and regular monitoring, based on current Air Pollution Index (API) readings. State authorities will continue to keep a close eye on the haze situation, taking necessary actions as conditions warrant. Yesterday, the Johor government announced that schools will reopen starting tomorrow, considering the current haze conditions and assessments from relevant agencies. As of 4pm today, only two districts in Johor had unhealthy API readings, namely Pasir Gudang at 154 and Batu Pahat at 127.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BARU: Schools in Johor will reopen in phases, with the first phase on tomorrow and Tuesday limited to students sitting for examinations according to the scheduled timetable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Johor schools to reopen in stages, 27 in Serian to close tomorrow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/johor-schools-to-reopen-in-stages-27-in-serian-to-close-tomorrow",
        "published": "2026-10-25T09:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze: Johor schools to reopen in phases, starting with exam candidates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/haze-johor-schools-to-reopen-in-phases-starting-with-exam-candidates",
        "published": "2026-10-25T10:19:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}