Segamat:Educational institutions under the Ministry of Education (MoE) in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 180, as determined by the Department of Environment (DoE), will be closed from tomorrow due to the ongoing haze.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad stated that institutions in areas with API readings above 150 for three consecutive days must also close starting Monday, October 12. This measure is to protect students and educational staff from health risks associated with the haze, in alignment with the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

The MoE appreciates His Majesty's concern for student safety and health. State Education Departments, District Education Offices, and MoE institutions are instructed to monitor API levels continuously and act when they exceed specified thresholds. Schools and institutions must transition to home-based learning during closures, ensuring continuity in education while considering students' and teachers' resources and readiness.

Teachers and support staff are permitted to work from home during this period, based on the Education Minister's discretion. The MoE will keep monitoring the haze situation and consult with the Health Ministry and other agencies to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff.

As of 3 pm today, 38 areas in Peninsular Malaysia reported unhealthy air conditions. Segamat in Johor had the highest API reading at 190, followed by Seremban and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan with readings of 186 and 185. Kluang in Johor reported an API of 181, while Rompin in Pahang and Johan Setia in Selangor had readings of 178.