Ipoh:Kinta Utara All educational institutions under the Ministry of Education in the Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan, and Kuala Kangsar districts have been ordered to shut down immediately due to hazardous air quality, following an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 180 at the Tasek Ipoh monitoring station.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak State Education Director Zulkafli Mohamed Mokhtar announced that the closures would remain in effect for a specified period. Schools are required to implement remote Teaching and Learning from Home (PdPR) to ensure educational continuity, considering students' capabilities, access, and needs, as well as teachers' preparedness.

Teachers and support staff are instructed to work from home during the closure, adhering to current directives and operational requirements. Parents and guardians are advised to keep informed through official announcements from the Perak State Education Department, especially regarding the reopening of schools. Assumptions about reopening dates should be avoided, with reliance solely on official updates.

Zulkafli emphasized the importance of monitoring the ongoing situation and prioritizing the safety, health, and well-being of students and the education community. The Perak State Education Department is actively monitoring API readings in coordination with educational institutions to decide on further actions as per the Ministry of Education guidelines.

The department highlighted that today's closures impact 362 schools, affecting 154,404 students, 14,619 teachers, and 2,094 support staff. It expressed gratitude for the concern and royal decree of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, regarding the safety and health of students amid the haze.

The Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System portal reported that as of 100 pm, five areas in Perak recorded unhealthy API levels, with Tasek Ipoh at the highest reading of 180, followed by Pegoh Ipoh (175), Tanjung Malim (174), Seri Manjung (159), and Taiping (123).