{
  "id": 3425232,
  "title": "Schools in Penang ready to implement PdPR if API exceeds 200",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/schools-in-penang-ready-to-implement-pdpr-if-api-exceeds-200",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T04:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/126596/schools-in-penang-ready-to-implement-pdpr-if-api-exceeds-200"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Schools in Penang are prepared to implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) if the Air Pollution Index (API) reading surpasses 200 due to the ongoing haze. The Penang State Education Department (JPNPP) Director, Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad, confirmed that preparations are in place, awaiting the decision to be implemented if the situation deteriorates. According to the guidelines, outdoor activities are prohibited when the API exceeds 100, and when it reaches 200, students are required to stay at home, triggering the implementation of PdPR. However, at present, the department is only preparing for such a scenario and will inform in advance if the API reading is likely to reach 200, allowing teachers, parents, and students to prepare accordingly. The JPNPP will assess the haze situation in the afternoon or night of the day before the implementation to determine if PdPR is necessary. The department aims to avoid making last-minute decisions to give parents, schools, and canteen operators ample time to prepare. Currently, the API readings at all four Penang stations – Seberang Jaya, Seberang Perai, Minden, and Balik Pulau – are moderate, ranging from 76 to 85, as opposed to the previous day's readings, which were between 96 and 155.",
  "summary": "Schools in Penang are prepared to switch to home-based teaching and learning, known as PdPR, if the Air Pollution Index (API) exceeds 200. According to Penang State Education Department Director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad, the department is closely monitoring the situation and will not delay informing schools if they need to suspend operations and implement PdPR.\n\nThe department assesses API readings from four monitoring stations in Penang at 6 pm or 8 pm daily to determine the necessary actions for the following day. If the API reaches 100, outdoor activities will be halted, and if it reaches 200, students will not be required to attend school and PdPR will be implemented.\n\nA \"war room\" was set up on August 13 to continuously monitor the haze situation, and the department will provide early notification to schools if PdPR is to be implemented, as teachers need time to prepare schedules and inform students.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Penang schools to halt outdoor activities if API reading tops 100",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/penang-schools-to-halt-outdoor-activities-if-api-reading-tops-100",
        "published": "2026-08-25T22:40:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Penang Education Dept sets up haze ‘war room’, schools to switch to home learning once API hits 200",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/penang-education-dept-sets-up-haze-war-room-schools-to-switch-to-home",
        "published": "2026-08-26T03:20:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}