12 PPD reopened Monday school, Serian and Antu Pit are still closed

KUCHING, 12 September: All primary and secondary schools under the supervision of 12 Regional Education Offices (PPDs) in Sarawak will operate as usual from Monday.

The State Education Department (JPN) of Sarawak in a statement today announced that schools under the PPD Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Sri Aman, Kanowit, Julau, Meradong, Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh were reopened on September 14.

"JPN Sarawak has decided that all secondary and primary schools under the supervision of the 12 PPD concerned will be operating as from 14 September 2026 (Monday)", according to the statement.

Previously, the schools in question had conducted Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) for a week.

However, the temporary closure of schools under the supervision of Serian PPD and Antu Lubok was extended until both districts recorded an Air Pollution Index (IPU) reading below 200.

The decision was made based on ongoing monitoring of IPU readings through the Official Portal of the Department of Environment and reports from the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education (KPM) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will distribute masks to students, teachers and staff at schools identified as severely affected by dust.

JPN Sarawak also warned the schools to stop all extra-classroom activities involving students if IPU readings exceed 100, while schools in areas or districts with readings above 200 should be immediately closed.

"The reopening of schools is subject to IPU readings below 200", according to the statement.