THE Ministry of Education’s (MOE) decision to raise the school closure threshold to an air pollution index (API) reading of 200, after imposing stricter limits a week earlier, has drawn criticism from Bersama, which questioned the scientific basis for the policy shift.
The party said the change, announced on Oct 15, came after the ministry ordered schools to close in areas recording API readings above 180, or above 150 for three consecutive days, on Oct 8 following a decree by Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Bersama questioned what scientific evidence justified raising the threshold within such a short period, particularly when some schools in Selangor were subsequently ordered to close while those in neighbouring Kuala Lumpur remained open.
On the evening of Oct 15, the Selangor Education Department announced that schools under eight of the state’s 10 district education offices would close the following day, including in Gombak, Hulu Langat, Klang, Sepang and Petaling Perdana. Schools in Kuala Lumpur continued operating as usual.
The group said the sequence of announcements had left parents confused, with some receiving confirmation of school closures at the last minute, despite an earlier assurance from the ministry that decisions would be communicated in advance.
It also questioned why schools were still being closed in parts of Selangor if the revised threshold of 200 was the applicable policy.
The party acknowledged the ministry’s concern that school closures could disrupt learning, but said inconsistent decisions and reliance on parents to decide whether children should attend school were inadequate responses to a public health risk.
It warned that pupils from lower-income households, particularly those who depend on public transport or walk to school, could face greater exposure to polluted air while having fewer options to stay home or learn remotely.
The group urged the government to establish clear, transparent and science-based closure criteria, disclose the rationale behind changes to the threshold, and ensure consistent decisions between the Education Ministry, state education departments and the Department of Environment.
It also called for earlier announcements through a single official channel and stronger home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) arrangements, including online and offline materials and support for pupils without adequate devices or internet access.
The party said Malaysia should use lessons from remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure educational continuity without compromising children’s health.
“Health and education should not be treated as competing priorities. Both are responsibilities of the government that must be protected at the same time,” it said. - October 16, 2026