KOTA BAHARU, March 20 – All schools will reopen as normal on Sunday and Monday following the end of the first term holidays even though the country is facing extreme hot weather due to the El Nino phenomenon, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid. He said for now, what they can do is to stop outdoor activities but classes will resume as normal.

He told this to the reporters after opening Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Raja Sakti’s Parent-Teachers Association annual general meeting here Saturday. Following the term break which started on March 11, schools in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor are due to reopen on Sunday while in the other states on Monday.

Mahdzir said the Special Committee dealing with the extreme hot weather chaired by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar would be the final authority on deciding whether to close schools in a particular area in regard to the matter.

On Friday, Wan Junaidi had announced that schools in an area where the temperature reached 37 or more degrees Celsius for more than 72 hours must be ordered to close. In PUTRAJAYA, the ministry in a statement said state education departments, district education offices (PPDs) and schools must monitor closely the health of students and ensure they are well hydrated.

Schools must have adequate supplies of drinks and also encourage students to bring their own water, it said, adding that clinics or hospitals must be quickly contacted if any student experiences health complications. The statement said PDDs must also work closely with the district health officer on measures that can be taken to mitigate the risks. It also urged parents and students to only rely on information provided by the ministry or the relevant authorities on the issue (extreme hot weather).

Pocket News

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