{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 2038389,
        "msgid": "malaysia-raises-threshold-for-haze-related-school-closures-1792032610",
        "date": "2026-10-15 09:26:00",
        "title": "Malaysia raises threshold for haze-related school closures",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNA",
        "tags": "Asia",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Malaysia will close schools when the Air Pollutant Index exceeds 200 and suspend outdoor activities at readings of 100 or above, aligning education ministry guidance with the National Haze Action Plan. The change replaces lower closure triggers and aims to balance children\u2019s health with continuity of learning, while allowing concerned parents to keep children at home after notifying schools.",
        "content": "<p>Malaysia raises the threshold for haze-related school closures<\/p>\n<p>Schools will now close in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API)\nexceeds 200, while outdoor activities will be suspended when the\nreadings reach 100 or above.<\/p>\n<p>Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said on Wednesday (Oct\n14) that the air quality threshold for school closures will be raised to\nbring the ministry\u2019s guidelines in line with the country\u2019s National Haze\nAction Plan.<\/p>\n<p>Schools will now close in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API)\nexceeds 200, while outdoor activities will be suspended when the\nreadings reach 100 or above.<\/p>\n<p>Under the education ministry\u2019s previous guidelines, schools had to\nclose in areas with API readings exceeded 180, or remained above 150 for\nthree consecutive days.<\/p>\n<p>Fadhlina said the ministry welcomed the National Disaster Management\nAgency\u2019s position that haze management should be based on the national\nplan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis step aims to ensure that decisions are made more systematically\nbased on the current condition assessment, including the Air Pollutant\nIndex readings and health advice from the Ministry of Health,\u201d she said\nin a Facebook post.<\/p>\n<p>Fadhlina noted that API readings could change within a short period,\nand said closing schools several days in advance without considering\nthose changes could unnecessarily cost students learning time if air\nquality improved.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the same time, I understand parents\u2019 concerns regarding their\nchildren\u2019s health, particularly those with health issues or who are more\nsensitive to air pollution,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Parents who are concerned about their children\u2019s health and safety\nduring the haze can choose to keep them at home, provided they inform\nthe school authorities, she added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe safety and health of children remain our priority. However,\nevery school day also holds great value for their development and\nlearning,\u201d said Fadhlina.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hope this coordination can provide greater certainty to parents,\nreduce difficulties faced, and ensure every school operation decision is\nmade by taking into account both the health and educational continuity\nof children in a balanced manner,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Fadhlina had previously defended the Malaysian government\u2019s\nday-to-day approach to school closures, as parents called for more\ncertainty over arrangements during the worsening haze.<\/p>\n<p>Decisions to shutter schools have to take into account fluctuating\nair quality and the disruption that prolonged closures could cause to\nstudents\u2019 learning, she said on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have requested that decisions on school closures be announced as\nearly as possible to give parents time to prepare,\u201d she said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-raises-threshold-for-haze-related-school-closures-1792032610",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}