ALOR SETAR: The Kedah State Education Department (JPN) will continue to monitor temperature readings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) before deciding whether the implementation of Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) in the state will be continued.
Kedah JPN director Abdul Rahim Mat said the PdPR, which began Sunday (March 29) and runs until next Tuesday, has been implemented in the districts of Kota Setar and Pendang after both districts recorded daily temperatures at Level 2 (37°C to 40°C) for three consecutive days.
"A total of 86,030 students are involved in the PdPR implementation, comprising 65,634 students from 154 schools in Kota Setar and 20,396 students from 52 schools in Pendang. The implementation of PdPR is in line with the Ministry of Education's guidelines for the operation of educational institutions during hot weather.
"The current temperature has reached 37°C and is extremely hot. That is why JPN has taken the initiative to implement PdPR, as we want to minimise student movement and avoid exposing them to the heat, especially during peak hours at midday,” he said during a visit to SMK Sultanah Asma here today.
He said that despite the hot weather, learning sessions are continuing as usual, and the JPN, schools and teachers had made preparations following early warnings issued last Wednesday regarding the possibility of school closures due to the heat.
"Continuous monitoring will be carried out, and we will track temperature readings issued by METMalaysia. If conditions remain the same over the next three days, PdPR will continue, but if temperatures drop, face-to-face schooling will resume as usual.
"We want to ensure the safety and health of students, as hot weather can lead to various health complications. We also urge parents to help safeguard their children’s health and ensure they are not exposed to the heat for prolonged periods,” he said.
Abdul Rahim said his department is aware of issues related to devices and Internet connectivity faced by some students. However, schools have prepared worksheets to ensure that the syllabus, which had been planned earlier, can still be completed.
SMK Sultanah Asma principal Tengku Fariza Tengku Ibrahim said that 201 out of 217 boarding students had returned to school and began PdPR sessions today.
"For Form 1 to Form 3 students, PdPR sessions run from 8am to 1pm, while for Form 4 and Form 5 students, sessions run from 8am to 2pm. Their PdPR schedules differ, with one-hour classes followed by a 15-minute break before resuming,” she said. - Bernama
