Penang Schools Must Halt Outdoor Activities When API Exceeds 100 Amid Haze

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Schools located in areas of Penang where the Air Pollutant Index (API) rises above 100 must immediately stop all outdoor activities involving students, as education authorities step up precautionary measures amid worsening haze conditions.

Penang State Education Department director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said schools in affected areas would continue operating normally as long as the API remained below the closure threshold, but outdoor activities would not be permitted when air quality entered the unhealthy category.

The department is closely monitoring air-quality readings through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) and will take action according to guidelines established by the Ministry of Education.

A total of seven schools — four primary and three secondary schools — are located around the Minden area, where unhealthy API readings were recorded on August 13.

The Minden monitoring station recorded an API reading of 107 at around noon, before easing to 103 an hour later. By 3pm, the reading had fallen to 97, placing it back within the moderate category, while the latest reading cited in the report at 8pm was 96.

At 8pm, readings at Balik Pulau, Seberang Perai and Seberang Jaya ranged between 84 and 95, all within the moderate category.

Mohamad Dziauddin said that if Minden continued to record unhealthy API levels the following morning, schools in the area would suspend all outdoor activities involving students.

Under Malaysia’s haze-management guidelines for schools, an API reading above 100 is classified as unhealthy, requiring schools to stop all activities outside the classroom.

These activities may include sports, physical education, assemblies, co-curricular programmes and other outdoor events involving students.

However, schools are not automatically required to close when API readings exceed 100.

According to the Education Ministry guidelines, schools must be closed immediately when the API exceeds 200. Schools may reopen once readings drop below 200 and demonstrate a declining trend.

If the API rises above 500, teachers and other school staff are also not required to report to school.

The Penang State Education Department said it would continue monitoring haze conditions and provide updated guidance to schools.

Mohamad Dziauddin was scheduled to hold a meeting with all headmasters and principals at 11am on August 14 to provide the latest information and explain the measures that should be taken if unhealthy API readings persist in Penang.

Schools have also been advised to pay closer attention to students showing signs of discomfort or illness during the haze.

Students are encouraged to wear face masks and drink water frequently, while schools should immediately contact parents or guardians if a student becomes unwell.

The measures are intended to reduce students’ exposure to polluted outdoor air while allowing teaching and learning activities to continue indoors whenever conditions remain within permitted levels.

With haze conditions capable of changing throughout the day, education authorities will continue relying on real-time API readings before deciding whether further restrictions or school closures are necessary.