ALL primary and secondary schools under the Lubok Antu and Kanowit District Education Offices have been temporarily closed with immediate effect today following unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, the Sarawak Education Department (JPN) said.
In a statement, JPN Sarawak said the decision was based on API readings recorded as at 9am today, which were at the unhealthy level.
Home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) will be implemented in accordance with the Education Ministry's Circular Letter No. 8 of 2016 on Guidelines for Managing Teaching and Learning Due to Disasters, dated July 21, 2016.
For schools located near districts recording API readings above 200, headteachers and principals may consider implementing PdPR, taking into account pupils' health and safety.
JPN Sarawak said headteachers and principals could prepare for schools to reopen if API readings showed a downward trend to below 200.
"Schools are reminded to comply with the stipulated standard operating procedures and refer to the Education Ministry's Circular Letter No. 1 of 2019 on Measures by the Education Ministry to Ensure the Health and Safety of Pupils in Schools Located in Areas Affected by Haze Considered Critical, dated Jan 15, 2019," it said.
All educational institutions under JPN Sarawak have also been advised to comply with guidelines on outdoor activities during hot weather under the Education Ministry's Circular Letter No. 3 of 2023 dated June 6, 2023.
Educational institutions were urged to monitor developments by referring to the Department of Environment's official portal for API readings in their respective areas or districts and to follow recommendations issued by the Health Ministry from time to time.
"JPN Sarawak is very concerned about the health, safety and well-being of all its personnel," it said.
Meanwhile, cloud-seeding operations have begun in Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to help restore dam levels to optimum levels and safeguard water supplies, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said.
The operation, known as Operasi Pembenihan Awan (OPA), will be conducted from today until Sept 24, Nadma said in a statement.
It said the integrated effort was aimed at ensuring the sustainability of water supplies and water resources while also supporting measures to address the current haze episode.
"This integrated effort is important to ensure the continuity of water supplies and the sustainability of water resources, while also serving as a supporting measure in facing the haze episode," it said.
Nadma said the effectiveness of the operation would depend on the availability of suitable clouds and atmospheric conditions during the operation.
It also urged the public to pray for the operation to run smoothly and produce beneficial rainfall for the well-being of communities. - September 21, 2026
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