KUCHING, Aug. 12 -- A total of 108 schools in the Serian Division have been temporarily closed after Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the area exceeded 200, reaching the very unhealthy range.

Announcing the move, Sarawak Deputy Premier and State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the closure was a preventive measure to safeguard the health and well-being of students and school personnel.

"Teaching and Learning from Home (PdPR) will continue throughout the closure period to ensure that students' learning continuity is not disrupted," he said in a statement.

Under the National Haze Action Plan, schools, kindergartens and nurseries are to be closed when API readings reach 200, subject to...