MOE guidelines require school closures once API tops 200; Sarawak’s Lubok Antu district sees 28 primary, two secondary schools shut.
KULAI: Thirty schools in Lubok Antu, Sarawak, have been ordered to temporarily close so far after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the district exceeded 200.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the closures, involving 28 primary schools and two secondary schools, were ordered by the Sarawak State Education Department (JPN) and took effect today.
He said the Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines require all schools in an affected district or area to close when the API readings exceed 200.
“The duration of the closures will be determined by school administrators, the JPN and district education offices (PPD), based on API readings,” he told a press conference during an official visit to SK Bandar Putra 2 today.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching was also present.
Wong said no school closures had been reported in other states so far, adding that the ministry would provide updates as necessary.
He said schools must immediately suspend all outdoor activities, including sports and events, when API readings exceed 100.
School administrators are also authorised to decide whether to close or reopen schools based on the latest API readings, in consultation with the JPN and PPD.
