Haze: Schools closed Monday, Tuesday

The Education Ministry has ordered all schools throughout the nation to close on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 5,) due to the worsening haze.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahadzir Khalid said schools need not replace the school days lost during the haze.

“Teachers and students need not attend schools,” he said in a Facebook posting today.

However, the directive does not apply to schools in Labuan, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.

Mahadzir said the Form Three Assessment (PT3), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), Sijil Persekolahan Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) 2015 examinations will go on as scheduled.

The haze situation in the country continues to worsen with seven areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

According to the Department of Environment, Shah Alam had recorded an API reading of 308 as of 9am today.

An API reading between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and hazardous for 300 and above.