Culture & Entertainment · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia returns to national haze protocol for schools
The Ministry of Education has reinstated guidelines from the National Haze Action Plan to manage air quality impacts on students. Schools will close when the Air Pollutant Index reaches 200, with outdoor activities halted at API 100.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Education has reverted to the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) guidelines to manage school operations during periods of poor air quality, signalling a return to established protocols for protecting student health.
Under the reinstated framework, schools will cease operations entirely when the Air Pollutant Index reaches 200 or above. Outdoor classes and activities will be suspended once the API hits 100, though indoor instruction continues. The guidelines apply across all education levels.
Parents will retain the discretion to keep their children home from school during haze episodes, providing flexibility for families with health concerns. The decision reflects the ministry's acknowledgment of air quality as a significant factor in educational planning during monsoon seasons when transboundary haze typically affects the region.
The reversion to the PTJK framework establishes clear, measurable benchmarks for school closures and activity restrictions, replacing any interim arrangements previously in place. Education officials have indicated the guidelines will be enforced consistently across all states and federal territories.