ALOR STAR: Kedah will extend Home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) in areas where temperatures are persistently above 37ºC.

Kedah Education Department director Abdul Rahim Mat said the department would monitor the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) daily temperature readings.

“Temperatures have reached 37°C, which is extremely high. If temperatures over the next three days remain the same, PdPR will continue.

“But if temperatures decrease, in-person classes will resume,” he said after visiting SMK Sultanah Asma here yesterday.

He said schools in Kota Setar and Pendang would conduct PdPR for three days from yesterday, after both districts recorded daily temperatures of over 37ºC for three days.

MetMalaysia issues a Level 2 heatwave warning if an area records temperatures of between 37ºC and 40ºC for three straight days.

The Kedah PdPR ruling affects 86,030 students, comprising 65,634 students from 154 schools in Kota Setar and 20,396 students from 52 schools in Pendang.

“We want to ensure the safety and health of students, as hot weather can lead to health complications. We urge parents and guardians to ensure their children’s well-being, including limiting prolonged exposure to hot weather,” Rahim said.

He said the department was aware that some students faced device and Internet connectivity issues.

He said schools were providing worksheets to ensure the syllabus could be completed.

SMK Sultanah Asma principal Tengku Fariza Tengku Ibrahim said 201 out of 217 boarding students had returned to in-person learning, while the rest were undergoing PdPR.

In George Town, Penang Education director Mohammad Dziauddin Mat Saad said schools in the state were operating as usual but the Northeast and Seberang Prai Utara districts were placed on alert yesterday.

In Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Education director Kamsah @ Kamal Mohamed said there was no need for PdPR in the state for now.

“For now, there is no need for PdPR. The situation remains safe,” he said after visiting SK Bukit Tumbuh here.

He said schools would be authorised to close and implement remote learning if the hot weather worsened.

He said the department urged students to bring sufficient drinking water and reminded school heads to advise students to stay hydrated.