The Ministry of Education (MOE) will consider closing schools and postponing national examinations if the following day’s air quality is forecast to reach hazardous levels, with a 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) above 300.
Education Minister Desmond Lee outlined the arrangements in a Facebook post on 10 October 2026. He said lessons and national exams would continue for now in rooms equipped with air purifiers, with schools prepared to introduce further measures if needed.
Closure Decisions Announced Around 8pm
Lee said families would be told of any closure around 8pm the evening before, through their schools and MOE’s official communication channels.
MOE would assess conditions daily to decide whether schools should open the following day.
The threshold concerns the next day’s forecast. A decision would also account for health advice and other information from the authorities, as well as the disruption that a closure could cause to families’ childcare arrangements.
In other words, a PSI reading above 300 does not, by itself, mean schools have automatically been ordered to close.
Affected Exam Papers Would Get New Dates
If schools close on a day when national examinations are scheduled, the affected papers will be moved to new dates. The overall examination period will consequently run longer.
The revised arrangements will be announced alongside the closure decision. Schools will notify their candidates, while the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) will inform private candidates.
While schools remain open, exam candidates will sit their papers in classrooms or halls fitted with air purifiers.
Students Who Are Unwell Can Seek Special Consideration
Lee also said students who cannot take their national exams because they are unwell can ask their schools to apply for special consideration.
This is SEAB’s process for assessing grades when a candidate misses an examination for a valid reason or takes it under circumstances that affect their performance. Applications are reviewed individually and require supporting evidence.
For GCE examinations, SEAB says applications and supporting information must reach it within three working days after the affected paper. School candidates should approach their teachers; candidates who registered directly through SEAB’s Candidates Portal can apply there.
Lee said further information would be sent to parents through Parents Gateway over the weekend.
Forecast Remained Below The Closure Threshold
The Meteorological Service Singapore’s 10 October update forecast that PSI levels would remain within the unhealthy band, potentially towards its upper end.
It reported readings of 118 to 168 at 6pm that day. The update warned that winds could continue carrying smoke haze towards Singapore despite some expected showers.
