Johor has extended its haze-related closure of all schools and educational institutions to cover 12 to 16 October 2026, adding another five days to the shutdown.
The extension runs from Monday to Friday. It follows the earlier statewide closure on 8 and 9 October.
Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali announced the decision on Saturday, 10 October, following a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
Lessons Continue From Home, Assessments Postponed
Students will continue learning from home where arrangements are suitable, Naqib said. This approach is known in Malaysia as Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran di Rumah, or PdPR.
Academic assessments scheduled during the closure will be moved to later dates. The Johor State Education Department and the relevant education authorities will determine the revised arrangements.
The state government and its agencies will keep tracking air quality, with further action guided by conditions and assessments of health and safety.
Forecast Winds From Kalimantan Raise Concerns
Naqib said the authorities had considered forecasts of winds arriving from Kalimantan, Indonesia, between 13 and 15 October. These could carry pollution across the border into Johor.
Another concern was that fine particles could accumulate while air movement remained slow, prolonging the haze.
In its 10 October update, Media Digital Johor, the state government’s media platform, reported Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of around 170 to 180, with little change. It described the air quality as unhealthy.
Naqib said the decision also took account of health data and risks associated with air pollution, including breathing problems among children, students and education staff.
More Than 617,000 Students Affected By Earlier Closure
The earlier shutdown on 8 and 9 October affected 1,198 schools and 617,258 students, according to The Star. These included schools administered by Malaysia’s Education Ministry and Johor’s state religious schools.
When announcing that initial closure, Naqib had appealed to employers to consider flexible arrangements for working parents and guardians, CNA reported.
In its latest update, the Johor government advised parents to reduce children’s time spent on outdoor activities and ensure they drink enough water. It also urged them to seek medical attention for symptoms such as a persistent cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing.
