Culture & Entertainment · Malaysia Bureau
Sarawak shuts 647 schools for week as haze blankets region
Sarawak's education authorities have ordered the closure of 647 schools from September 7-11 as hazardous air quality persists across the Malaysian state. The measure aims to protect student and staff health during the air pollution episode.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Sarawak Education Department announced the five-day shutdown affecting schools statewide, responding to deteriorating air quality conditions that have blanketed the region. The closure period from September 7 through September 11 represents a precautionary measure to minimize exposure risks for the school population during the haze episode.
State authorities cited persistent air pollution levels as the primary driver for the decision. Schools across all districts in Sarawak have been directed to comply with the closure order, affecting hundreds of thousands of students and education staff.
The closure follows a pattern of regional responses to transboundary haze, a seasonal phenomenon that periodically affects Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Air quality monitoring remains ongoing, with officials assessing conditions daily to determine if the closure period requires extension or if schools can resume operations as scheduled.
Parents and guardians have been advised to keep students at home during the closure period. The Education Department indicated it would provide further updates on the situation based on air quality forecasts and atmospheric conditions in the coming days.