Schools in Johor to remain closed till Oct. 16, 2026 due to ongoing haze

Schools and educational institutions in Johor, Malaysia, will remain closed from Oct. 12 to 16, as hazy conditions continue to plague the state.

This was announced by Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, the Johor Education and Information Committee chairman, on Oct. 10, local media outlet The Star reported.

The state government had earlier shut schools for two days on Oct. 8 and 9.

All eight areas in Johor recorded unhealthy air quality readings of between 151 and 178 as of 12pm on Sunday, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

"The state government believes that early preventive measures must be prioritised to reduce the risk of prolonged exposure to polluted air," Naqib was quoted as saying.

"The decision also takes into account the need to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment before face-to-face schooling can resume."

Reasons for the extension

According to The Star, the decision aligned with a decree by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to prioritise the safety, health and well-being of Johor residents.

He said the state government also considered health reports and the risk of respiratory problems among children, students, and education community members.

Naqib also noted that winds forecast to blow from Kalimantan between Oct. 13 and 15 could also carry transboundary pollution into Johor.

With regard to academic assessments and examinations scheduled during the closure, Naqib said these will be postponed and rescheduled.

Where appropriate, students will continue learning at home to minimise disruption.

He added that the state government will keep a close watch on air quality and update the public through official channels.