{
  "id": 2088322,
  "title": "Haze forces school closures in four Sarawak districts, home‑based learning activated",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/haze-forces-school-closures-in-four-sarawak-districts-home-based",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T06:43:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/20/haze-forces-school-closures-in-four-sarawak-districts-homebased-learning-activated/232036"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING, Aug 20 — The Sarawak Education Department has ordered schools in four districts - Kuching, Padawan, Serian, and Samarahan - to close immediately from August 20-21 due to hazardous haze impacting air quality. This precautionary measure aims to protect students and school communities from the adverse effects of unhealthy air, according to the department's official Facebook page. The decision emphasizes safeguarding the well-being of learners amid the challenging environmental conditions. Schools will transition to home-based learning (PdPR) during this closure to maintain educational continuity. The department will provide updates on the closure duration and reopening through its official channels and district education offices. As of noon today, the Natural Resources and Environment Board reported unhealthy API readings in Serian (191), Kuching (188), and Samarahan (171).",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Aug 20 — The Sarawak Education Department has ordered schools in the Kuching, Padawan, Serian, and Samara...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze forces school closures in four Sarawak districts, home‑based learning activated",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/haze-forces-school-closures-in-four-sarawak-districts-home-based-2089199",
        "published": "2026-08-20T06:43:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "2-day school closure ordered in 6 Sarawak areas amid haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/2-day-school-closure-ordered-in-6-sarawak-areas-amid-haze",
        "published": "2026-08-20T07:29:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sarawak: Haze prompts two-day school closure in 6 areas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/sarawak-haze-prompts-two-day-school-closure-in-6-areas",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:43:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Sarawak haze shuts 591 schools across 10 districts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/sarawak-haze-shuts-591-schools-across-10-districts",
        "published": "2026-08-20T09:29:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}