Haze-hit schools reopen today - school operations advisory

Oct 19, 2026

Students in multiple Malaysian states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur are being encouraged to return to classrooms as schools resume operations after haze disruption. Education departments advise parents, guardians, and staff to monitor official announcements and to wear face masks, with extra attention to students considered vulnerable. In some states, outdoor activities are postponed, and examinations are rescheduled, with actions triggered by Air Pollutant Index (API) levels. Health guidance links outdoor halts and reduced activity to API thresholds, and specifies air quality categories from good through hazardous.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Schools reopening after haze disruption

Precautions and mask guidance

State directives on examinations and outdoor activities

API thresholds for air quality

SEKTOR DOKUMENTASI PENDIDIKAN BPPDP, Kementerian Pendidikan Aras SB-4, Blok ES, Kompleks E, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62604 Putrajaya. Tel : 03-8884 6425 Faks : 03-8884 6284 TARIKH: 19 OKTOBER 2026 (ISNIN) BERITA HARIAN O UTUSAN M'SIA D N. STRAITS TIMES D THE STAR )L] SINAR HARIAN D // . .. - - . - - . - . - .. Hazei;. hit: · schools ·reope􀀕, -today Students urged to take precautions and wear masks amid lingering pollution By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI fAiest0r coYA,m: .mSe,n in five states and Kuala Lumpur can . head back to classrooms today as educational institutions under the Education Ministry resume school operations following the haze disruption. The Kuala i,umpur Federal Territory education department and the Selangor education department said students were encouraged to wear face masks while at school. "Parents or guardians who are concerned about their children's health may choose not to send them to school, provided they inform the school," the departments said in separate statements. Both departments advised parents, guardians and school staff to monitor the situation and follow official announcementsand advice from the authorities. In Selangor, the education department also urged school administrators to monitor Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Environment Department and pay particular attention to. students vulnerable to haze-related health effects. Parents, guardians and school staff were advised to check the department's official communication channels or contact their respective schools for the latest verified information. Both departments said the l\ealth, safety and well-being of students and the wider education community remained their priority. In Negri Sembilan, Bernama reported that the state education department had directed schools I HIS _U(1- l.,, 7k e to postpone and reschedule the End-of-Academic-Session Examinations scheduled for this period due to the haze affecting the country. ''This directive also applies to all internal examinations conducted by schools. All outdoor activities must be halted if the Air Pollutant Index reacting exceeds 100," the statement read. In Melaka, the state education department said school admi- nistrators must continuously monitor API readings provided by the Environment Department and pay special attention to high risk students. Meanwhile, in Pahang, the state education department said schools in Bentong would continue to operate as usual, but all outdoor activities had been postponed until further notice. Schools in other districts were also operating as usual. ''Any changes regarding school operations will be announced through the official channels of the Pahang State Education Department and the respective District Education Offices," the statement added. In Penang, the state education department issued a similar advisory, encouraging students to wear face masks and stay well- hydrated. Schools were also asked to ensure an adequate supply of · · drinking water. "The department will continue to monitor air quality developments to ensure that the safety, health and well-being of students and the education community remain a top priority," it said as reported by Bernama. The Health Ministry had previously warned that all outdoor activities and public gatherings must also be halted when the API reading reaches the · "very unhealthy'' to "hazardous" range. The Health Ministry also advised the public to reducl:? outdoor physical activities. API readings of zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 hazardous./' .

FAQs

What guidance are education departments giving students when schools reopen after haze disruption?

Students are encouraged to wear face masks and stay attentive to official announcements and advice from authorities.

How do state education directives differ regarding examinations and outdoor activities?

Some states have postponed and rescheduled end-of-academic-session examinations, while others require outdoor activities to be halted or postponed based on API readings.

What do different Air Pollutant Index (API) levels mean for action?

API 0–50 is good, 51–100 moderate, 101–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous; higher ranges trigger halting outdoor activities and reducing public exposure.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Blue Pony