Haze school closures: the API rules every parent should know

Haze school closures in Malaysia now follow clear air quality limits. The Education Ministry says every school in an area with an API above 180 must close.

Johor has already shut schools. Business Today reports that the state has extended its closure until 16 October. On Friday, Pasir Gudang in Johor also recorded the highest reading in the country.

This is not a nationwide shutdown. Closures follow the air quality in each area, so parents should check local figures every day.

What the ministry rules say

Education Director-General Datuk Mohd Azam Ahmad announced the rules in a statement on Thursday, 8 October. The first rule took effect on Friday. Schools under the ministry in areas with an API above 180 must close.

A second rule starts on Monday, 12 October. Areas with an API above 150 for three days in a row must also close. The Department of Environment supplies the figures.

Closed schools switch to home-based teaching and learning, known as PdPR. Lessons should suit each student’s needs and access. They should also match what teachers can handle.

Teachers and support staff may work from home during closures. Meanwhile, state education departments and district offices must watch air quality closely. They must act as soon as a limit is crossed.

The ministry links the move to the King’s concern for students. The Vibes reports that Sultan Ibrahim spoke out after days of readings between 150 and 180. His decree asks ministries to protect students, the elderly and people with breathing problems.

Where the air is worst

At 5.45pm on Friday, 9 October, 36 areas had unhealthy API readings. Another 32 areas were moderate, and none were good. The figures come from the Department of Environment’s APIMS portal.

Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the highest reading at 190. Seremban followed at 189. Segamat in Johor and Bukit Rambai in Melaka both stood at 187, while Larkin in Johor recorded 185.

The haze reached the Klang Valley as well. Johan Setia recorded 181 and Cheras 177. Shah Alam stood at 175, Putrajaya at 170 and Petaling Jaya at 167.

An API of 101 to 200 counts as unhealthy. A reading of 201 to 300 is very unhealthy. However, these figures are only a snapshot from Friday evening, so check the portal before the school run.

Why the haze is back

Business Today says the haze comes from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Dry weather and tough peatland terrain make the fires hard to fight.

Indonesia says it has sent more than 60,000 personnel and 48 helicopters and aircraft. They are water bombing and using weather modification. Priority provinces include Riau, South Sumatra, Jambi and Central Kalimantan.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that he had spoken to President Prabowo Subianto about the fires. Prabowo promised that Indonesia would act. Anwar also offered Malaysian help with firefighting.

Anwar then told Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan to contact the ASEAN Secretariat about a special meeting of environment ministers. Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said, “We hope this will settle down soon, especially as rain is expected.”

Rain is expected, but no date has been given. Until then, check your child’s school notice and the official readings each morning, and keep masks handy.