Singapore Schools Stay Open as Haze Worsens; O-Level Exams May Shift if PSI Turns Hazardous

Singapore’s Education Minister Desmond Lee said on Friday that schools will stay open and the O-Level and A-Level examinations scheduled to begin next week will proceed, even as haze from regional fires pushes air quality into unhealthy ranges. The ministry will consider rescheduling O-Level papers if the next-day 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index forecast reaches the hazardous threshold of 301 or higher.

Lee spoke at a press conference held by the Haze Task Force. He said the ministry wants to minimise disruption for students who have prepared for the exams. Written O-Level papers and practical A-Level exams start on October 19. Both will be held in enclosed, air-conditioned rooms equipped with air purifiers. A-Level papers are considered less likely to be postponed because the candidates are older, but final decisions will rest on actual conditions.

If the forecast enters the hazardous range, the ministry may also close kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and special education schools, shifting younger students to home-based learning. Junior colleges and the centralised institute would remain open with enhanced measures. Any school-closure decision will be announced by around 8 p.m. the previous evening through schools and official channels. The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board will publish any exam rescheduling publicly, and schools will notify students and parents directly.

Singapore has recorded unhealthy 24-hour PSI readings for nearly two weeks, with the first such reading of the year occurring about six weeks ago. Some schools have already cancelled outdoor activities. On October 14, hourly PM2.5 concentrations in western Singapore reached the very high range. Lee warned against misinformation circulating on social media about imminent school closures, urging parents to rely on Ministry of Education updates and Parents Gateway.

Students who are unwell and unable to complete an exam may apply for special consideration with a medical certificate. The contingency plans reflect the recurring nature of the Southeast Asian haze, which is driven by agricultural and land-clearing fires in Indonesia and elsewhere. Singapore’s approach prioritises keeping exam schedules intact unless air quality crosses the hazardous line, while retaining the option for rapid adjustment.

Whether any papers are actually moved will depend on the daily forecasts issued in the coming week. For now, the examinations remain on the calendar in controlled indoor environments.