KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — The majority of schools that were shut down for most of this week due to the haze will be reopened tomorrow as air quality improved, the Education Ministry said today.

The ministry said in a statement, however, that schools in Perlis, Penang and Perak will remain closed as the air pollutant index (API) in the three states remain at very unhealthy levels.

The closure does not affect schools in Kedah as tomorrow is the start of the weekend in that state. Schools in the northern states are closed from today onwards.

“The school closure (tomorrow) will involve 1,600 schools and 728,739 students in those states,” the ministry said.

As for schools that will reopen tomorrow, the ministry advised students to wear masks.

Schools closed since Monday in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur will operate as usual tomorrow.

So will schools in Kuching, Sri Aman, Samarahan and Betong in Sarawak and in Bentong, Pahang.

As of 4pm today, six areas remain at the very unhealthy API levels, with mostly in the northern part of the peninsula, 22 areas recorded unhealthy levels and 22 areas within the moderate levels.

Sungai Petani recorded the highest API reading at 244, followed by Seberang Jaya 2, Perai (239), Alor Star (237) and Langkawi (235).