Sarawak: The Sarawak Education Department has ordered all schools under its jurisdiction in Kuching, Padawan, Serian, Bau, Lundu, and Samarahan to close with immediate effect today and tomorrow due to haze affecting air quality in the areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department said in a statement today that schools would conduct Home-Based Teaching and Learning during the closure to ensure students could continue their studies.

'The decision was made as a precautionary measure to protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of students and school staff, particularly from the risk of exposure to unhealthy air,' read the statement.

The statement said that updates on the closure duration and school reopenings would be announced through the department's official channels and District Education Offices.