Malaysia: Kedah, Perlis schools closed today due to heatwave

The Star 31 Mar 16;

GEORGE TOWN: Schools in Kedah will be closed today and in Perlis until tomorrow due to the heatwave.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the decision was made after the temperature rose to above 37°C in both states.

“We will make a decision if the closure needs to be extended after assessing the weather next week,” said Mahdzir after meeting northern region education officials here yesterday.

On the weather in Penang, he said it was within acceptable levels and schools would be open as normal in the state.

Meanwhile, commenting on the case of the eight-year-old boy who was forced to cut his own tongue, he said schools had standard operating procedures on such issues.

“We could expel the students who were involved in the bullying but rehabilitation could help them repent,” said Mahdzir.

He said whatever decision taken must be for the good of all, including the bullies and the victim.

He said a decision on the action to be taken would be made only after investigations were completed.

In the incident last Thursday, the Year Two boy claimed he was forced by five Year Three pupils from the same school to cut the tip of his tongue with a pair of scissors.