Malaysia haze: School closures and reopening updates

School closures and reopening arrangements will vary by state and district, depending on local air quality.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has directed state education departments to monitor daily Air Pollution Index (API) readings to determine whether schools should operate as usual or switch to home-based learning amid the ongoing haze.

In a media statement dated 10 October 2026, the Ministry said it had taken note of concerns from parents and guardians about the health of children attending school during the haze situation.

To address these concerns, MOE has instructed State Education Directors to establish Haze Monitoring Task Force Committees involving the State Education Department (JPN) and District Education Office (PPD). The committees will monitor daily API readings at designated times.

Based on the information gathered, State Education Directors will decide whether schools should operate as usual or switch to Belajar Dari Rumah (BDR) and Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran di Rumah (PdPR), referring to home-based learning as well as teaching and learning from home respectively.

For schools in Group A, announcements on operational status would have been made by 2.45pm on Saturday, while announcements for Group B schools would have been made by the same time on Sundays. This is intended to help students and families plan travel to and from boarding schools.

On other days, announcements will be made before 5.45pm, based on API readings issued by the Department of Environment (DOE).

MOE has urged parents and guardians to follow announcements through the official communication channels of the JPN, PPD and individual schools.

School closures and reopening arrangements for 13 October 2026

Further announcements issued by state education departments on 12 October outlined changes to school operations for Tuesday, 13 October. These include closures in additional areas, the continuation of closures in Johor and the reopening of all educational institutions in Kuala Lumpur.

Melaka: All educational institutions to close

All educational institutions registered with MOE in Melaka will close on 13 October, according to a statement issued by the Melaka State Education Department on 12 October.

The department said school closure announcements would be made daily, depending on developments in air quality.

During the closure, teaching and learning must continue through PdPR. Teachers and members of the implementing group (AKP) are also permitted to work from home throughout the closure period.

The arrangements also apply to relevant private and international schools, while students in boarding schools will continue PdPR in their respective school dormitories.

However, the Special School Entrance Assessment (PKSK) and the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examination will proceed according to their scheduled dates. Candidates have been advised to refer to the department's official Facebook page for further instructions on both assessments.

The department will continue monitoring API readings and issue updates on school operations through its official channels.

Perak: Schools to operate as usual

All educational institutions under MOE in Perak are operating as usual on 13 October.

In a statement dated 12 October, the Perak State Education Department said API readings at monitoring stations across the state remained below 150 as of 5pm that day.

The department will continue monitoring air quality with District Education Offices and implementing follow-up measures in line with MOE's guidelines.

Parents and guardians have been urged to follow official announcements and work with schools to safeguard students' health and well-being.

Kuala Lumpur: All educational institutions to reopen

All educational institutions under the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department have reopened for face-to-face classes on 13 October.

The department said the decision followed continued monitoring, with the final API readings at both air quality monitoring stations in Kuala Lumpur below 150 as of 5pm on 12 October.

With the reopening, home-based teaching and learning and work-from-home arrangements for the previously affected areas will end.

The department will continue monitoring API readings and take appropriate action according to changes in air quality. Parents and guardians have been advised to follow official updates and take precautions to protect their children's health.

Pahang: Schools in Rompin and Kuantan to close

Educational institutions under the Pahang State Education Department in Rompin and Kuantan have close temporarily from 13 October, following the haze situation and API readings in the two districts.

The closure will remain in place until conditions return to a safe level and further instructions are issued.

During the closure, PdPR must be implemented using suitable methods that take into account students' access, needs and learning capabilities, as well as teachers' preparedness.

Educational institutions in both districts are required to monitor API readings continuously and comply with instructions and guidelines issued by MOE, DOE and the Ministry of Health.

The reopening of schools will be announced through the Pahang State Education Department's official channels once air quality permits safe operations.

The department will continue working with the Rompin and Kuantan District Education Offices and relevant agencies to monitor conditions and safeguard the health of students and education staff.

Johor: All schools to remain closed

All schools throughout Johor will remain closed on 13 October, according to an announcement by the Johor State Education Department on 12 October. Closure announcements will be made daily.

Teachers and school staff are permitted to work from home throughout the closure period, while PdPR will continue in line with the applicable guidelines.

The department also issued updates on postponed assessments and examinations. The Year 4 Learning Matrix (MPT4) and other postponed assessments will be rescheduled.

The STAM examination will proceed according to the Examination Board's schedule. Candidates sitting the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Session 3 2026 have been advised to refer to the Malaysian Examinations Council's official portal for updates.

The PKSK has been rescheduled to 19–22 October 2026. Form 1 candidates can check and download their examination slips again through the official PKSK portal.

The department will continue monitoring API readings with District Education Offices and schools, taking further action according to air quality developments and MOE's regulations.

Penang: Schools to operate as usual

All educational institutions under the Penang State Education Department will operate as usual on 13 October, subject to any further instructions from MOE and the relevant authorities.

As of 5pm on 12 October, API readings across the state's monitoring areas were below 150.

The department will continue monitoring air quality with District Education Offices and schools. Outdoor activities, including sports and co-curricular programmes, should take current API readings and the health of students and school staff into account.

Selangor: Schools in four districts to close

All schools under the Hulu Langat, Petaling Perdana, Kuala Langat and Sepang District Education Offices will close on 13 October, according to an announcement by the Selangor State Education Department on 12 October.

Schools in other districts across Selangor will continue operating as usual.

Affected schools have been instructed to inform parents and guardians and take appropriate steps to protect students' health and safety.

Further information on school operations and reopening arrangements will be announced through official channels operated by MOE and the Selangor State Education Department.

Earlier updates from 12 October, listed below, provide context for how school closures and reopening arrangements have changed amid the haze over the past two days.

Malaysia school closures and reopening updates for 12 October 2026

State education departments issued further updates on 11 October on school operations for Monday, 12 October, as they continued to monitor air quality.

Perlis: Schools to operate as usual

All educational institutions under the Perlis State Education Department are operational as usual. The decision follows three consecutive days of API readings below 100 across the state's monitoring areas. Readings stood at 80 on 9 October, 66 on 10 October and 47 on 11 October.

The department said schools would continue monitoring air quality. Outdoor activities, including sports and co-curricular programmes, should take current API readings and the health of students and school staff into account.

Melaka: Educational institutions to reopen

All educational institutions in Melaka resumed operations on 12 October, subject to official confirmation of the latest API readings.

The Melaka State Education Department said the decision took into account developments in air quality, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers and other education staff.

Parents and guardians have been advised to monitor their children's health and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms related to air pollution.

Putrajaya: Schools to operate as usual

Schools under the Putrajaya Federal Territory Education Department operated as usual on 12 October.

As of 2pm on 11 October, Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 70, following a consistent decline over three days.

The department has reminded school administrators to monitor changes in air quality and limit outdoor activities if API readings rise.

Perak: Schools to operate as usual

All educational institutions under MOE in Perak operated as usual from 12 October.

As of 2pm on 11 October, API readings at monitoring stations across the state were below 150, according to the Perak State Education Department.

The department will continue working with District Education Offices to monitor air quality and implement further measures in line with MOE's guidelines.

Kuala Lumpur: Schools in Sentul and Keramat to reopen, Bangsar/Pudu to remain closed

The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department has announced different operating arrangements for schools across the capital, following closures that began on 9 October.

Schools under the Sentul and Keramat District Education Offices reopened for face-to-face classes on 12 October. The decision follows three consecutive days of declining API readings, with Batu Muda recording 84 as of 2pm on 11 October.

Home-based teaching and learning and work-from-home arrangements for teachers and school staff in these areas are also ending.

However, schools under the Bangsar/Pudu District Education Office will remain closed until further notice, as air quality remains unhealthy. The Cheras monitoring station recorded an API reading of 152 at 2pm on 11 October.

Home-based teaching and learning will continue for affected students, while teachers and members of the implementing group (AKP) will continue working from home until further notice.

Pahang: Schools to operate as usual

All schools in Pahang operated as usual on 12 October, according to the Pahang State Education Department.

The department will continue monitoring haze conditions and API readings, with any changes to school operations to be communicated through the respective District Education Offices.

Johor: All schools to close, assessments postponed

All schools across Johor were closed on 12 October as a precautionary measure amid the ongoing haze and poor air quality.

During the closure, teachers and school staff are permitted to work from home, while officers at the State Education Department and District Education Offices will continue working as usual.

Home-based teaching and learning will be implemented to maintain learning continuity. For boarding schools, permission for students to return home will be determined by the principal, based on the prevailing risk assessment and students' safety and welfare.

The Johor State Education Department also announced that the Year 4 Learning Matrix (MPT4) and other assessments involved will be postponed and rescheduled in accordance with decisions by the Examination Board and the department.

The Special School Entrance Assessment (PKSK), scheduled for 12 October, has also been postponed. A new date will be announced by the state education department. Schools and assessment centres have been instructed to inform affected students and their parents or guardians.

Penang: Educational institutions to operate as usual

All educational institutions under the Penang State Education Department operated as usual on 12 October, subject to any new instructions from MOE and the relevant authorities.

As of noon on 11 October, API readings across the state's monitoring areas were below 100. The department will continue monitoring local air quality with District Education Offices and schools.

Selangor: Schools in three districts to close

All schools under the Hulu Langat, Gombak and Petaling Perdana District Education Offices were closed on 12 October following developments in API readings, according to the Selangor State Education Department.

Schools in other districts across Selangor will continue operating as usual.

Affected schools have been instructed to inform parents and guardians and take appropriate steps to safeguard students' health and safety.

Parents urged to follow official school updates

With haze conditions continuing to affect parts of Malaysia, school operating arrangements may differ between states and districts, depending on local API readings.

Parents and guardians should check announcements from their respective State Education Departments, District Education Offices and schools.

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