THE Ministry of Education (MOE) has been urged to announce decisions regarding school closures as early as possible to allow parents time to make preparations.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that she understands the concerns of parents who hope for early announcements on school closures so they can make the necessary preparations.
However, she also urged all parties to understand that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings can fluctuate depending on time and location.
Therefore, decisions regarding school closures must take into account the prevailing conditions in each area.
“Haze management also entails broader responsibilities. The Department of Environment is responsible for monitoring air quality and addressing pollution issues, while the Ministry of Health provides guidance to the public regarding health risks.
“Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education focuses on student safety and the management of school operations based on current conditions,” she said in a Facebook post today.
Fadhlina said the COVID-19 pandemic experience demonstrated the significant impact of school disruptions on children's learning.
Consequently, efforts to address learning loss are ongoing, acknowledging that lost instructional time is difficult to recover—especially given the disparities in home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) facilities among students.
Meanwhile, she advised boarding students to remain in their hostels during school closures caused by the haze, provided conditions are safe and their well-being is assured.
According to Fadhlina, this measure aims to spare parents the burden of repeatedly transporting their children back and forth.
She added that the MOE would continue to monitor the situation through State Education Departments (JPN) and District Education Offices (PPD), while also improving the dissemination of information to parents.
Fadhlina also expressed her gratitude to parents for their feedback and patience while dealing with the haze situation.
“Thank you to all parents for your feedback and patience as we navigate this situation,” she said. – October 12, 2026