{
  "id": 3502524,
  "title": "Haze: Schools must suspend outdoor activities when API exceeds 100, says Education Ministry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-schools-must-suspend-outdoor-activities-when-api-exceeds-100",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T11:47:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/26/haze-schools-must-suspend-outdoor-activities-when-api-exceeds-100-says-education-ministry/232775"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 — The Malaysian Education Ministry has instructed schools to halt outdoor activities and gatherings in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) surpasses 100, due to intense heat and haze. Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad emphasized this directive to state education departments and district education offices, aiming to protect students' well-being. The directive references previous MoE circulars about handling prolonged hot and dry conditions and critical haze situations. If current API levels persist, sports events held by the Malaysian Schools Sports Council and Islamic Education Division will also be relocated to safer locations or moved indoors. Educational institutions are advised to ensure a steady supply of clean drinking water, encourage students to carry their own water, and remain alert for potential health complications. Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reported that 30 areas in the country currently have unhealthy API readings.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 — The Education Ministry (MoE) has directed all educational institutions under its purview to im...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "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": "The Vibes",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-26T04:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze: Schools must suspend outdoor activities when API exceeds 100, says Education Ministry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-schools-must-suspend-outdoor-activities-when-api-exceeds-100-3503797",
        "published": "2026-08-26T11:47:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}