Ministry withdrew suspension of water-based co-curricular activities - Mahdzir

The Education Ministry has withdrawn their notice of suspension on all forms of water based co-curricular activities effective yesterday.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said all State Education Department, District Education Office and school management were advised, to be more vigilant in selecting venues to conduct any outdoor curriculum activities.

"The ministry has set the standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines to be followed by the school.

"The guidelines involve three phases which are before, during and after the activity to ensure that participants do not suffer any harm," he told reporters after opening the Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor in Bandar Seri Alam, here today.

Mahdzir said before carrying out any activities, the school should seek advice from the nearest District Health Office relating to the risk of infectious diseases in the areas concerned, at least one month before the date of the activity.

The ministry, on Aug 12, has issued a notice to suspend all co-curricular activities involving water activities following the case of a teacher in Kedah who died due to leptospirosis infection.

The Kedah teacher suffered from fever and vomiting after participating in the state level 1Malaysia Secondary School Outdoor Education programme in Baling Curriculum Centre for three days starting July 17.

The teacher was later confirmed dead on Aug 11 in the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital intensive care unit in Alor Setar.