Several schools in Singapore have scaled back or suspended outdoor activities following a spike in air pollution levels in the western part of the island on the afternoon of October 14. Hourly measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reached very high concentrations, prompting precautionary actions to reduce students' exposure.
Maris Stella High School cancelled outdoor sports activities, while Nan Hua High School suspended at least one co-curricular activity (CCA). Pasir Ris Secondary School cancelled its football CCA and advised students to limit after-school activities and to eat indoors during recess, according to an internal notice distributed on October 14. Similarly, CHIJ (Kellock) Primary School informed parents via the Parents Gateway app that all outdoor activities, including physical education lessons and outdoor play, would be suspended on October 15 and 16. Pupils bringing packed food will eat in their classrooms, and those purchasing food from the canteen will return inside after eating.
St Andrew’s School (Junior) took a different approach, allowing pupils to attend school in their physical education attire until the end of December to minimise the need for additional clothing changes during the haze period.
At 3 p.m. on October 14, the one-hour PM2.5 reading in western Singapore hit 288 micrograms per cubic meter, with a reading of 251 at 4 p.m. These figures surpass the threshold of 250 micrograms per cubic meter that indicates a very high concentration of fine particles. The National Environment Agency (NEA) recommends that the public minimise outdoor activities during such periods. Vulnerable groups—including children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions—are advised to avoid outdoor exposure entirely.
The city-state’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast remained in the unhealthy range throughout the day. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has instructed schools to modify activity levels based on hourly PM2.5 data, which can vary significantly over short periods. A directive issued on October 10 specified that if the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200, lessons should continue only in enclosed, well-ventilated spaces equipped with air purifiers. During this time, strenuous indoor exercise and outdoor activities should be avoided, after-school activities minimised, and recess eating shifted indoors.
Education Minister Desmond Lee emphasized on October 10 that lessons and national examinations are proceeding in controlled indoor environments with air purification systems in place. He stated that schools stand ready to implement more stringent measures if air quality deteriorates further. Should forecasts predict a hazardous level with a 24-hour PSI exceeding 300, the MOE may consider school closures and postponements of national examinations. Under such circumstances, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and special education schools could be closed, while junior colleges and Integrated Programme sections would remain open with enhanced haze mitigation protocols.
Even if closures are enforced, schools, student care centres (SCCs), MOE kindergartens, and Kindergarten Care (KCare) centres will keep operating to receive students, with SCCs and KCare centres maintaining extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students affected by closures will shift to home-based learning and activities. Any decision on school closures will be communicated by 8 p.m. the preceding day through official MOE channels and schools, according to the ministry’s policy. The ministry continues to monitor air quality closely and will adjust responses daily as needed.