No plans to limit outdoor activities for tertiary students for now

JOHOR BARU: The Higher Education Ministry has no immediate plans to stop tertiary students from outdoor activities, says minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said the ministry had not issued any instruction despite the current hot spell.

“The weather does not affect the operations of higher education institutions as classes are mostly conducted in air-conditioned rooms," he said.

"As such, the ministry has no plans to limit activities, including sports."

Furthermore, he explained that these activities were not compulsory, unlike for those in schools.

“Tertiary students usually take part in these activities on their own accord.

“Maybe if the weather worsens, we may limit outdoor activities but for now there are no such plans,” he told reporters at the Johor Umno veterans‘ Hari Raya open house here yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled was asked to comment about the ongoing hot weather, which led to the Education Ministry’s decision on Wednesday to allow students and teachers from institutions under its purview to opt for casual wear or sports attire as a way to cope with the heat.

For students who wear school uniforms, it is not compulsory for them to put on a necktie.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Community Development Department (Kemas) wanted kindergartens to postpone all activities outside the classroom if the weather is too hot.

In a statement yesterday, Kemas said all kindergartens are urged to monitor activities that may expose children to hot weather and limit strenuous physical activities to avoid the risk of weather-related illnesses.