KUALA LUMPUR – Due to the hot weather, the Education Ministry has announced that it is allowing students and teachers to use athletic wear in schools.
According to a letter by the Education Deputy Director-General (School Operations Sector) Dr Norisah Suhaili, the decision was made to ensure the welfare, health, and safety of teachers, students, and administrators in schools.
She explained that the current hot weather could cause a heatwave, which could result in health complications such as hyperthermia, heatstroke, and dehydration.
“The Education Ministry agrees to give special permission for teachers and students to use modest athletic clothing during the hot weather.
“This move will not burden students or their parents, given students have their own sports clothes for physical education,” the letter addressed to all state education directors read.
The ministry also advised all headmasters to constantly monitor weather conditions from time to time so that swift action can be taken to ensure the health of all teachers and students in schools.
On February 28, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan informed that the Health Ministry has detected five cases of heat-related illness thus far.
Two of the cases reported in Kelantan led to the deaths of two children due to severe dehydration and heatstroke.
The following day, the Kelantan government was reported to have informed athletes and the public to limit sporting activities outdoors due to the hot weather.
The Health Department has warned that prolonged exposure to hot weather without drinking sufficient water can be detrimental to health, especially for high-risk groups like children, senior citizens, and those with chronic diseases.
Dr Radzi recently said that the symptoms of illness related to severe hot weather include headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration, dizziness, muscle weakness or cramps, and nausea.
“Severe cases can involve dehydration, delirium, and falling unconscious or (into a) coma,” he said.
On Monday, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a level-one heatwave alert for Padang Terap in Kedah and Jempol in Negri Sembilan, with both areas recording yellow alert level heatwaves.
The yellow alert level refers to daily temperatures continually hovering between 35-37°C for at least three consecutive days.
Meanwhile, other areas in the peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak have recorded daily maximum temperatures of less than 35°C, which is at the blue level.
The latest information on the hot weather can be obtained at the MetMalaysia website, and preventive measures to reduce health effects can be obtained at the Health Ministry’s website. – The Vibes, May 3, 2023
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