KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Schools in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, as well as in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, and Penang, will operate as usual tomorrow; however, all outdoor activities have been postponed due to the haze.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Education Department announced that all educational institutions under the Ministry of Education (MOE) will conduct in-person classes as usual, even though all outdoor activities are to be postponed.

In Putrajaya, the Federal Territory of Putrajaya Education Department said all schools under its jurisdiction will operate as usual, with students encouraged to wear face masks while at school.

In Selangor, the State Education Department (JPN) announced that all educational institutions under its purview will operate as usual. School administrators are instructed to continuously monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings provided by the Department of Environment and to pay special attention to high-risk students.

In Negeri Sembilan, the State Education Department (JPN) said all MOE educational institutions in the state will operate as usual; however, outdoor activities must be halted if the API reading exceeds 100.

Students are advised to wear face masks particularly those experiencing respiratory symptoms or belonging to high-risk groups while the End-of-Academic-Session Assessments (UASA) scheduled to take place during this period are to be postponed.

In Melaka, the State Education Department (JPN) announced that all educational institutions under its jurisdiction will operate as usual, with all outdoor activities postponed. In the state of Pahang, all schools in the districts of Bentong, Bera, Maran, and Temerloh will operate tomorrow; however, all outdoor activities are suspended.

Meanwhile, the Penang State Education Department has announced that all educational institutions in the state will operate as usual, with schools required to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water for the school community.

Education Departments in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, as well as in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Penang, are also allowing parents or guardians who are concerned about their children’s health to keep them home from school, provided that the school is notified accordingly.

Yesterday, Minister of Education Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said decisions regarding school closures due to the haze are made collectively by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), drawing upon their respective areas of expertise.

She noted that such decisions take into account air quality monitoring and health risks to students, as well as the potential impact on learning should schools remain closed for an extended period. — Bernama