PARENTS will be allowed to keep their children home during haze episodes if they are concerned about their health and safety, even as schools nationwide follow set air pollution thresholds for suspending activities and closures.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said outdoor activities would be suspended when the air pollution index (API) exceeds 100, while schools would close when readings surpass 200, in line with the National Haze Action Plan.
She said the Education Ministry was coordinating school operating procedures with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to ensure decisions reflected current air quality readings and advice from the Health Ministry.
“Through this coordination, outdoor activities will be suspended when the API exceeds 100, while schools will close when readings exceed 200, in line with the provisions of the National Haze Action Plan.
“We need to understand that API readings can change within a short period. Closing schools several days in advance without taking these changes into account could result in children losing learning time even after air quality has recovered,” she said in a recent Facebook post.
Fadhlina said parents who decided not to send their children to school because of health or safety concerns should inform the school, particularly if their children had medical conditions or were more sensitive to air pollution.
“The Health Ministry has also provided advice on health protection measures, including wearing face masks during haze episodes. Such preventive measures are important to protect children’s health.
“The safety and health of our children remain our priority. However, every school day also carries significant value for their development and learning.
“I hope this coordination will provide greater certainty for parents, ease the difficulties they face and ensure that decisions on school operations strike a balance between children’s health and the continuity of their education,” she said. - October 15, 2026