Heatwave spells indoor fun for kids, but no reprieve for teachers still on duty

KANGAR, March 23 — As schools in Kedah and Perlis closed yesterday and today because of the heatwave, teachers and school staff came to work while students had fun.

A group of students went to a nearby futsal centre here to have a game to keep themselvs occupied.
 Imran Ramli, nine, said his mother had allowed him to play futsal as it was indoors.

“She told me not to be exposed to the sun and I understand why,” he said, adding that the weather was hot outside.

 SK Jerlun student Atik Rezza Azlam, nine, when met at Kampung Jerlun, said he would spend the unexpected holiday watching television.

“When I heard about the closure, I decided that I would spend the time watching my favourite cartoon programmes on TV,” he said.

SK Sri Muda student Mohamed Nasir Abdul Aziz, 12, said he played football in the late evening yesterday when it was not so hot.

“It has been hot in school since the hot season began in January. We find it difficult to concentrate on our studies because of the heat,” he said, adding that his older brother, Mohd Azri, allowed him to play football with friends in the evening.

Mohd Azri said his family had been concerned about his younger brother’s health due to the heatwave as children generally did not know how to handle the heat.

“We have heard about heatstroke and do not want him to suffer from it. So we allow him to play in the evening only,” he added.

Malay Mail found teachers and other school staff reporting for duty as they had not been given a holiday like students.

SK Jerlun Ayer Hitam headmaster Md Nasir Md Saman in Alor Setar, Kedah, said teachers were carrying out preparatory work for classes and co-curricular activities tomorrow.

“It is a wise decision by the ministry to close schools as the hot weather is bad for students’ health,” he said.

SK Penggas headmaster Mat Safar Saad in Chuping, Perlis, said the weather had been extremely hot in the past few weeks and the school closure was the right move.

“We are concerned about students’ health after hearing of heatstroke and dehydration,” he said.