Negeri Sembilan schools close due to worsening haze

All schools, including private schools, in Negeri Sembilan are closed today due to the worsening haze.

State Education Director Datuk Kalsom Khalid said the schools were closed following a directive by the Education Ministry.

"Late yesterday, the Education Ministry issued a directive for schools in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Malacca to be closed today as the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading is approaching 200," she said when contacted by Bernama here today.

However, she said, teachers were required to be in school today to oversee the safety of students who were not aware of the directive and turned up in school.

After that, the teachers could go home, she added.

Kalsom said the directive for the school closure was only for today.

"Tomorrow is a public holiday for Malaysia Day and for Thursday, whether the schools remain closed or not will depend on the Education Ministry," she added.

An API of between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 (medium), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (hazardous).