{
  "id": 9464063,
  "title": "Haze forces temporary closure of 34 schools in Lundu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/haze-forces-temporary-closure-of-34-schools-in-lundu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T01:42:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Borneo Post Online",
    "slug": "borneo-post-online",
    "url": "https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/09/24/haze-forces-temporary-closure-of-34-schools-in-lundu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Sarawak Education Department has ordered the temporary closure of 34 schools in Lundu District due to haze, according to a statement by JPNS. The affected schools consist of 31 primary institutions and three secondary schools. The decision was made based on Air Pollutant Index (API) readings taken at 8am, which were 223 and increased to 224 by 9am. During the closure, teaching and learning will be carried out via Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) as per Ministry of Education Circular Letter No. 8 of 2016. Schools near districts recording API readings above 200 are encouraged to implement PdPR, considering the health and safety of students. JPNS has advised schools to resume operations if API readings show a downward trend and fall below 200. Compliance with the Ministry of Education Circular Letter No. 1 of 2019 and prioritization of student and teacher health are emphasized. Schools are instructed to monitor API readings through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal and adhere to recommendations from the Ministry of Health.",
  "summary": "KUCHING (Sept 24): A total of 34 schools under the Lundu District Education Office have been ordered to close temporarily with immediate effect today due to the haze. The Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) said in a statement that the closure involved 31 primary schools and three secondary schools, following the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings [...] The post Haze forces temporary closure of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Serian haze worsens as API hits 221, 108 schools to close",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/serian-haze-worsens-as-api-hits-221-108-schools-to-close",
        "published": "2026-09-24T00:22:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sarawak haze map darkens with Lundu’s sharp rise, Serian and Kanowit still choking",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/sarawak-haze-map-darkens-with-lundus-sharp-rise-serian-and-kanowit",
        "published": "2026-09-24T01:03:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}