ALL educational institutions under the Sarawak Education Department have been ordered to suspend outdoor activities involving pupils whenever the Air Pollutant Index (API) in their respective areas exceeds 100, as worsening haze raises health and safety concerns.
Sarawak Education director Omar Mahli said the directive was among precautionary measures required to safeguard pupils’ welfare, health and safety amid hot weather and haze.
Schools have also been instructed to postpone outdoor activities when temperatures become excessively high and to monitor activities that could expose pupils to such conditions.
They must ensure adequate supplies of clean drinking water and encourage pupils to bring their own water.
Pupils have also been advised to wear face masks and drink sufficient water regularly to help regulate body temperature.
For pupils staying in hostels, schools must provide drinking water in critical situations where no other source is available.
The department also urged educational institutions to remain vigilant and work with nearby clinics and hospitals if pupils develop health complications.
The directive follows worsening haze in several parts of Sarawak, with monitoring data showing 15 locations recording unhealthy API readings.
Serian recorded the highest reading at 189, followed by Samarahan and Tebedu at 169 each, Kuching at 165, Bintulu at 159, Samalaju at 155, and Sri Aman, Sibu and Mukah at 154 each.
Sarikei recorded 153, Miri 144, ILP Miri 118 and Lundu 107.
Meanwhile, the department has postponed the 53rd Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSS) Athletics Championships 2026, which was scheduled to be held from Aug 10 to 14 at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Stadium, following unhealthy API readings in Samarahan.
A new date for the championships will be announced later.
The education department advised all educational institutions to follow guidelines on outdoor activities during hot weather and remain alert to developments in haze conditions in their respective areas.
Schools were also urged to comply with recommendations issued by the Health Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry to ensure the safety of pupils and education personnel. - August 11, 2026
