Haze: Schools In Four States, KL, Putrajaya And Rompin Closed Tomorrow - Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) – All schools in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor, as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, alongside the Rompin district in Pahang, will close tomorrow due to the haze.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said school operations in other states, namely Perlis, Perak, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, will proceed as usual.

"I have requested all State Education Departments (JPN) and District Education Offices (PPD) to continue monitoring the haze condition and take immediate action should the situation require it," she said in a Facebook post tonight.

Fadhlina also expressed concern about the inconvenience parents face after the school closure announcement, which disrupts their daily routines.

"We will ensure that any decision regarding school closures is announced earlier so that parents have sufficient time to make preparations," she said, adding that the safety and health of students and school staff remain the ministry's utmost priority.

She advised parents to stay updated for the latest information through official announcements from their schools, PPDs, and JPNs.

Earlier, the Negeri Sembilan Education Department (JPNS) announced the closure of all schools in the state based on Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at three monitoring stations, Port Dickson, Seremban, and Nilai, as of 5 pm.

The Melaka JPN said the closure decision followed continuous monitoring and an official Department of Environment report showing the API in key areas exceeded 150, reaching unhealthy levels.

The Federal Territory of Putrajaya Education Department (JPWPP) said in a statement that the decision was based on API readings at monitoring stations as of 5 pm today, while the school closures in Kuala Lumpur were based on API readings at the Cheras and Batu Muda monitoring stations as of 2 pm.

In Selangor, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad announced that all state religious schools under the department will be closed completely starting tomorrow, while advising private Islamic schools registered with the department to adhere to the ruling.

Following the closures, all affected institutions must implement Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) to ensure continuity, taking into account students' capabilities, access, needs, and teacher readiness.

Based on the Education Minister's decision, teachers and implementation support group (AKP) personnel are also allowed to work from home (BDR) throughout the closure period.

-- BERNAMA