COLLEGES and universities have been advised by the Education Ministry to suspend classes if the trans-boundary haze in their areas reaches very unhealthy levels.

This follows the shutdown of more than 1,400 schools nationwide, mostly in Selangor, Sarawak and Perak due worsening air pollution levels.

In a statement, the ministry’s Higher Education Department said tertiary institutions in states which have been badly affected by the haze have been advised to suspend classes.

“This is if the haze in their areas reaches levels that will endanger the health of students, lecturers and other staff,” the department’s director said in a statement.

“The department is concerned about the air pollutant index (API) readings that are increasing to ‘very unhealthy levels’ in several states.  

“Therefore the departments advises all tertiary education institutions in the affected states to suspend their classes.”

As of 3pm today, 1,484 schools have been closed nationwide due to worsening air quality, said the Education Ministry.

The closure affects more than a million students. Selangor is the worst-affected state, with 538 schools closed, followed by Sarawak (337) and Perak (303).

The closure has been ordered based on air pollutant index readings at 1pm., where 13 areas have recorded API levels in the “very dangerous” category.

API stations in 32 areas recorded “unhealthy levels” while only 13 areas in the country have air that is of “moderate” quality.

An API reading of 0-50 indicates good air quality; 51-100, moderate; 101-200, unhealthy; 201-300, very unhealthy; and 300 and above, hazardous. – September 18, 2019.