{
  "id": 16466092,
  "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-16466092",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:18:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1563267/haze-johor-schools-reopen-phases-exam-candidates-first"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Schools in the state of Johor, Malaysia, will gradually resume operations beginning tomorrow, with the first phase exclusively for students taking exams, according to Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, chairman of the State Education and Information Committee. Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, emphasized the significance of safety, health, and well-being in his decree. This phased reopening will allow educational establishments and faculty ample time to prepare for the crucial Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (UASA) examinations.\n\nThe second phase of resuming full operations is set to commence on Wednesday, contingent on the continual assessment of air quality. Dr Ghazali made this announcement in a statement, stating that the Johor Education Department will oversee the implementation of health and safety Standard Operating Procedures, encompassing face mask usage and surveillance of school activities based on present air pollutant index (API) readings.\n\nThe state government, along with relevant agencies, will persistently monitor the haze situation to ensure prompt action can be taken as conditions dictate. Yesterday, the Johor government determined that all educational institutions would reopen tomorrow, taking into consideration the current haze scenario and assessments by pertinent agencies. As of 4 PM on the preceding day, only two districts in Johor, namely Pasir Gudang with an API reading of 154 and Batu Pahat with 127, were categorized as experiencing unhealthy air quality.",
  "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."
}