Malaysia’s Education Minister, Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, announced that parents may choose not to send their children to school due to health concerns amid the ongoing haze affecting large parts of the country. Parents who decide to keep their children at home need only inform the school of their decision, the minister said on September 7, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
The Education Ministry will continue monitoring the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Department of Environment and the haze situation to guide any necessary measures. Actions will follow the National Haze Action Plan thresholds established by the government [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
According to Minister Fadhlina, when the API reading exceeds 100, all outdoor school activities are suspended. If the API surpasses 200, schools are closed entirely. "I understand parents’ concerns over the current haze situation. We hear those concerns. The health and safety of our children remain the priority in every action we take," she said [1].
On the morning of September 7, Samarahan in Sarawak recorded a very unhealthy API reading of 226. Across Malaysia, 40 areas registered unhealthy air pollution levels, while 24 to 25 areas experienced moderate levels, depending on the source cited [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Later that day at 1 p.m., Oriental Daily reported higher API readings of 236 in Samarahan and 233 in nearby Serian, both classified as very unhealthy; other sources did not mention Serian’s figure[s1-s6].
The Education Ministry’s monitoring will continue as the haze conditions evolve. The health-based thresholds for suspending outdoor activities or closing schools ensure officials can respond quickly to worsening air quality.
