{
  "id": 640645,
  "title": "6 schools in Sarawak district close as API exceeds 200",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/6-schools-in-sarawak-district-close-as-api-exceeds-200",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T05:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/12/6-schools-in-sarawak-close-as-api-exceeds-200"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Six schools in Tebedu, Sarawak, have temporarily closed due to air pollution levels exceeding 200, as reported by the Sarawak education department. The haze conditions in the area have worsened, prompting the closure in accordance with guidelines from the education ministry, which prioritize the health and safety of students and staff. The affected schools, under the Serian district education office, include SK Sejijag, SK Sungai Sameran, SK Tepoi, SK Entubuh, SK Temong, and SK Tema, which together accommodate 579 students and 104 staff members. The education department emphasized that schools must close immediately when API readings exceed 200 and notify the district or state education authorities after closure. Currently, the haze situation in Serian has worsened, and district education offices are continuing to monitor API readings and updates from relevant authorities. Parents and guardians are advised to ensure their children's safety and follow official updates issued by the schools. The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading scale ranges from zero to 50, indicating good air quality, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.",
  "summary": "State education department says the closures are in line with education ministry guidelines, which prioritise the health and safety of students and staff.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}