Kuala Lampur, Sept. 10 -- The thick haze blowing across Sarawak has forced the closure of 409 schools in nine districts, of which 347 are at the primary level.

The state Education Department said a total of 157,479 students are affected by the haze as at 10am, but added that the UPSR examinations for Standard Six are continuing as scheduled.

While Padawan district has the most schools ? 101 total, with 86 serving primary schoolers ? the district with the highest student population affected by the haze is in Kuching at 60,509.

Other districts and their affected student population are: 53 schools in Betong with 14,520 students, 44 schools in Bau with 11,571 students, and 30 schools in Lubok Antu with 4,943 students.

Samarahan has three ...