Haze from Kalimantan fires closes 591 schools in Sarawak

The Sarawak government closed 591 primary and secondary schools in 10 districts after haze from forest and land fires in Kalimantan worsened air quality in the Malaysian state. The closure took effect Thursday, Aug. 20, and covers Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong. The Sarawak Education Department said 197.323 students were affected, including 107.590 pupils in 509 primary schools and 89.733 students in 82 secondary schools. While schools are closed, learning is being shifted to home. It is the second closure in Sarawak in August; last week schools in Serian were also closed when the air pollution index exceeded 200.