Protect students during hot, hazy weather, says education ministry

 

The public have been advised to mask up and limit going outdoors in light of the prolonged hot weather and unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

PETALING JAYA: State education departments, district education offices and all educational institutions are reminded to protect the welfare, health and safety of students during the hot and hazy weather.

In a statement, the education ministry listed several preventative measures which included:

• Suspending all outdoor classroom activities if the weather is too hot,
•  Monitoring activities exposing students to hot weather
•  Stopping all outdoor classroom activities when the API readings exceed 100
•  Ensuring adequate clean drinking water supply and encouraging students to bring their own
•  Providing drinking water to boarding students
•  Cooperating with clinics and hospitals in case of complications arising from hot weather.

The ministry also advised all educational institutions under its jurisdiction to adhere to the established guidelines and stay informed of current haze developments in their respective areas or districts.

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“Educational institutions must follow the recommendations of the health ministry and natural resources, environment and climate change ministry to protect the health of their staff and students,” it added.

On April 19, health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa advised the public to mask up and limit going outdoors in light of the prolonged hot weather and “unhealthy” Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

She said the public should limit their time spent outdoors to avoid exposure to the heatwave and haze, adding that they should also limit strenuous activities and keep hydrated.

She also proposed the re-introduction of face mask mandate for students while in school.

There have been two heat stroke-related deaths this week involving an 18-month-old toddler and an 11-year-old boy, both in Kelantan.

On Monday, the meteorological department said seven areas in the Peninsula were in the “warning category” for hot weather after recording temperatures of 35-37°C.

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It also advised people to take extra precautions by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily to stay cool and hydrated as the heat wave is linked to the haze. - FMT