Malaysia to shut schools if air pollution hits critical levels

Schools across Malaysia will be forced to close if air quality deteriorates to hazardous levels, the Ministry of Education confirmed, implementing measures to safeguard the wellbeing of students and educators during periods of poor air quality.

Under the new guidelines, educational institutions will shut their doors when the Air Pollution Index surpasses 180, or if it remains elevated above 150 for three consecutive days. The announcement follows a royal directive emphasising the importance of prioritising health and safety in schools amid increasingly severe haze conditions affecting the region.

The closure protocols represent a tightening of previous measures, as authorities seek to minimise exposure to hazardous air pollutants for the school-going population. The decision aligns with broader public health concerns about the impact of transboundary haze on respiratory health and educational continuity.

Malaysia has periodically experienced severe air quality episodes, particularly during the regional burning season, prompting government agencies to implement protective measures. The Ministry's new directive ensures that decisions on school closures will be made systematically based on measurable air quality thresholds, rather than ad-hoc announcements.