Schools told to postpone outdoor activities if temperatures top 35°C

2026-03-25 - 05:21

The education ministry has instructed schools to monitor students for signs of heat stress and encourage them to stay hydrated throughout the day. PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has advised institutions under its purview to take precautionary measures against the hot weather as schools reopen next Monday following the end of the first-term holidays. It said outdoor activities should be postponed if temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius, to protect students from heat-related health risks. Institutions are also urged to monitor students for signs of heat stress, ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water, and encourage students to stay hydrated throughout the day, the ministry said in a statement. Boarding schools are instructed to provide sufficient drinking water if students do not have alternative sources, while staff are advised to coordinate with nearby clinics and hospitals in the event of heat-related complications. The ministry said special permission could be granted for students, teachers, and staff to wear appropriate sports attire during hot weather, depending on the situation at each school. It said these measures are crucial to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff given the heatwave currently affecting the country. Students in Group A states – Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu – return to school on Sunday. Schools in Group B states – Melaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya – resume classes next Monday. This year’s first-term break is aligned with the Aidilfitri holidays. Earlier today, the meteorological department issued a Level 1 alert for 16 areas in Peninsular Malaysia and a Level 2 (heatwave) warning for three areas in Kedah. A Level 1 alert is issued when daily maximum temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius persist for at least three consecutive days. A Level 2 (heatwave) warning is issued following temperatures of between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for three days in a row.