Global Courant 2023-05-04 06:55:00
PETALING JAYA – Students and teachers in all schools and institutions under the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) can attend classes in appropriate casual and sportswear during the current hot weather.
The ministry said in a statement that it always prioritizes the well-being, health and safety of students, teachers and administrators during the heat wave and prolonged drought in the country.
“Such hot weather can cause harmful heat waves that are detrimental to health.
“The ministry has agreed to give special permission to students, teachers and the administrative group in all educational institutions under the ministry to wear decent clothes and sportswear during the hot weather to avoid health complications.
“For students wearing school uniforms, wearing a tie is also not compulsory,” it added.
Schools have also been instructed to continuously monitor weather conditions so that immediate action can be taken to ensure the well-being of all concerned.
According to the MOE’s warm-weather closure guidelines of April 28, 2023, schools are allowed to close if the hot weather reaches alert level two with temperatures exceeding 37°C for three consecutive days.
Educational institutions, including schools, may also close if the Malaysian Meteorological Department declares a heat wave in their area.
Under the guidelines, all outdoor activities involving students, faculty, and teachers must cease if the heat reaches alert level one, with the highest temperature exceeding 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for three days in a row.
Among the outdoor activities that are not suitable during this period are cross country running, camping, parades, sports and agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Bernama news agency quoted a doctor as warning that heat stroke was a risk for anyone exposed to an extremely hot environment, regardless of the person’s health.
Dr. Norlen Ahmad said the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as those who are obese, are at greater risk of heat stroke.
“The elderly are more at risk because they usually have different diseases that make them more sensitive, and their mechanism of sweat production or body temperature regulation is no longer efficient,” she said on Bernama Radio’s Jendela Fikir program on Wednesday.
