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Parents can choose not to send children to school amid haze: MoE

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek says she heeds parents’ concerns; closures only enforced when API exceeds 200

1:40 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR — Parents can opt not to send their children amid the current transboundary haze affecting the country, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.

She said those concerned about their children’s health should inform the school if they decided to keep their children at home.

“I understand parents’ concerns over the current haze situation. We hear those concerns. The health and safety of our children remain the priority in every action we take,” she said on Facebook today.

The ministry is monitoring Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Department of Environment (DOE) and will follow measures set out in the National Haze Action Plan.

This means that when the API reading exceeds 100, all outdoor activities will be suspended.

“And when it exceeds 200, schools will be closed,” Fadhlina said.

Meanwhile, the the Johor Education Department reminded the public that schools in the state will only be closed in the API reading exceeds 200, in line with standard operating procedures under the national haze action plan.

State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said district education offices (PPD) and schools had been instructed to keep track of the latest API readings and update the information regularly so that updates could be conveyed promptly to parents, students and teachers.

Several districts in Johor recorded unhealthy API readings this morning, namely Segamat (157), Batu Pahat (157), Tangkak (153) and Kluang (151).

This morning, Samarahan in Sarawak was the only area to record a very unhealthy reading, at 226. Forty areas nationwide recorded unhealthy readings and 24 recorded moderate readings. – September 7, 2026

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