PARENTS who are still worried about their children’s health amid the ongoing haze are allowed to keep them at home instead of sending them to school.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said parents who choose to do so are only required to notify the school.
She said the Education Ministry would continue keeping a close watch on Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Department of Environment (DOE), particularly in areas affected by the haze.
Fadhlina added that measures concerning schools would be implemented in accordance with the National Haze Action Plan.
Under the plan, all outdoor activities are stopped when the API reading goes above 100, while schools will be closed once the reading exceeds 200.
“When the API exceeds 100, all outdoor activities are suspended. When the API exceeds 200, schools are closed,” she said.
As of this morning, figures from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Samarahan in Sarawak as the only area recording a very unhealthy API reading, at 226.
A further 40 areas nationwide were classified as having unhealthy air quality, while 24 recorded moderate readings and two areas registered good air quality.—Sept 7, 2026
Main image: Reuters
