Ministries to convene on haze-driven school shutdown guidelines after royal decree
Malaysia's Education and Health ministries have been asked to meet urgently to decide how to apply a royal decree that orders school closures when haze reaches API levels of 150-180 for extended periods.
Following a Facebook post by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim urging school closures in areas experiencing prolonged haze with API levels of 150-180, the National Parent-Teacher Association demanded swift action from the Education and Health ministries. Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan, the association's president, noted that current guidelines trigger shutdown only when API exceeds 200, which he believes is too high given the royal advice.
He proposed a tiered approach: half-day classes when the index hits 150 and full closure at 200, or the creation of a joint advisory panel to set consistent standards. The association emphasized the need to prioritize student health and to reassure parents that a clear policy will be issued. Officials from both ministries are expected to meet soon to resolve the discrepancy between the decree and existing regulations.
Why it matters
School operations affect thousands of children; clear guidelines are needed to protect health during hazardous haze conditions.
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