ALL schools in six districts in Sarawak will reopen tomorrow after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading as of 10 am this morning dropped below 200.
However, Sarawak State Education Department (JPN) Director Omar Mahli said all activities outside the classroom are not allowed to protect the health of school students.
"Any decision to close the school after this will remain subject to the current API reading," he said when contacted by RTM.
The Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) of the Department of Environment (DOE) shows that Kuching recorded an unhealthy API, with a reading of 181, as of 10 am.
Three other districts in Sarawak also recorded API in the same category, including IPD Serian (192), Sri Aman (176) and Samarahan (174).
Based on the guidelines regarding school management during the haze phenomenon issued by the Ministry of Education (KPM), the reopening of schools depends on API readings that are below 200 and show a downward trend.
In addition, the school must stop all activities outside the classroom involving students if the API reading exceeds 100.
If the API reading exceeds 200, all schools in the area or district in question must be closed immediately, while if the reading exceeds 500, teachers and staff do not need to attend school. – August 23, 2026
