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PUTRAJAYA – The Education Ministry (MoE) has directed all educational institutions under its purview to immediately suspend outdoor activities, including gatherings and outdoor sports, in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeds 100, amid hot weather and haze.
Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the directive had been issued to state education departments (JPN) and district education offices (PPD) to safeguard the welfare and safety of students.
"All educational institutions under the MoE are advised to refer to MoE Circular No. 5/2016 dated April 26, 2016, on preparations by schools to safeguard the welfare, health and safety of students during prolonged hot and dry weather.
"Educational institutions may also refer to MoE Circular No. 1/2019 dated Jan 15, 2019, on measures taken by the MoE to ensure the health and safety of students in schools located in areas where haze is deemed critical,” he said in a statement today.
He said venues for ongoing sports events organised at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) and Islamic Education Division (BPI) levels would also be relocated to safer areas or moved indoors, where necessary, based on the latest API readings.
Azam said JPN, PPD and all educational institutions under the MoE were also advised to implement preventive measures, including monitoring activities that could expose students to hot weather, to safeguard their health.
"An adequate supply of clean drinking water must always be available at MoE educational institutions, and students should be encouraged to bring their own drinking water,” he said.
He said the relevant authorities should advise and encourage students to drink sufficient water to regulate their body temperature, while drinking water should be provided to boarding school students if conditions became critical and no other source was available.
"JPN, PPD and all educational institutions under the MoE must remain vigilant and work with nearby clinics and hospitals should students experience any complications arising from haze and hot weather,” he said.
Azam said educational institutions should also monitor API readings and the latest status regularly via the Department of Environment (DoE) website to safeguard the health of students and education personnel.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was reported to have said that the latest report showed about 30 areas nationwide had recorded unhealthy API readings. – BERNAMA
