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PARENTS are increasingly worried about sending their children to school as haze worsens in several parts of the country, with some saying they have kept their children at home after they began coughing.
The concern is particularly acute among parents of children with asthma or other respiratory sensitivities, with several taking to Threads to question whether schools should remain open when air quality deteriorates.
One parent, @Ayshardzn, said asking people to limit outdoor activities offered little reassurance when children were still expected to attend school.
“My children have been coughing for several days. I know the school holidays are almost here, but schools should have been closed earlier. You can even feel the haze in Kuala Lumpur,” the user posted.
The parent said a younger child with sensitive lungs had been kept at home after the coughing worsened.
Another user, @AisyaHasun_, questioned whether schools should be given an early break, saying conditions were particularly bad in the morning.
“Can the schools just be given a break? The haze this morning is really bad. I feel sorry for the children who have to go to school,” the user said.
Another parent, @shrnshrdn, said she had kept her child at home after the child began coughing.
“I’m letting my child rest because the coughing has started and my child has asthma,” she wrote.
Their concerns come as unhealthy air quality continues to be recorded across several states.
At about 9am today, Johan Setia recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 190, followed by Cheras at 189, Nilai at 189, Putrajaya at 187 and Shah Alam at 180.
Petaling Jaya and Banting recorded 176 each, while Klang recorded 169.
In Johor, Tangkak recorded 172, Segamat and Pasir Gudang 171 each, while Kluang recorded 167.
API readings between 101 and 200 are classified as unhealthy, while readings from 201 to 300 are considered very unhealthy.
The deteriorating conditions have already prompted authorities in Batu Pahat to close all schools, kindergartens and nurseries in the district today.
The move followed an API reading of 203 at 8pm yesterday, which placed the district in the very unhealthy category.
The reading had fallen to about 197 by 9am today but remained unhealthy.
Batu Pahat District Officer and District Disaster Management Committee chairman Kamalludin Jamal said the closure was in line with the National Haze Action Plan and Education Ministry guidelines.
Schools may implement Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) if directed by the Education Ministry, Johor Education Department or Batu Pahat District Education Office.
Parents and guardians are to be informed through official school channels about learning arrangements and assignments during the closure.
Kamalludin said the reopening of schools would depend on developments in air quality and further directives from the authorities.
For parents in other areas where API readings remain unhealthy, the situation is likely to keep the focus on whether schools should remain open as haze conditions fluctuate.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on updates from the Department of Environment and education authorities, rather than unverified information circulating on social media. - October 7, 2026
