SERDANG: The Education Ministry has issued a circular to remind schools of steps to be taken as safety precaution in particular in avoiding venomous snakes.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said schools have been urged to ensure that school and hostel surroundings were always kept clean and tidy.
He said rubbish dump sites, bushes, toilets, bathrooms, recreation rooms including sports equipment storeroom should always be kept in an orderly manner to keep snakes away.
“Pupils and students need to be reminded constantly on the danger of venomous creatures and instructed to report to the teacher immediately should they spot snakes in the school,” he said.
He said the reminder was incorporated in the latest circular which was distributed on Tuesday to all state education directors and ministry staff would monitor closely to ensure the instructions were being followed.
Mahdzir was speaking at a press conference after presenting the national-level Nadi Ilmu Amalan Mulia (Nilam) awards in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL 2016) launch at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.
He said school principals and headmasters should pay attention to safety around the school, issue safety reminders and warn students, especially primary school children on the danger of venomous animals.
On the PBAKL 2016, Mahdzir said the event which would be on until May 9 saw the involvement of 250 exhibitors including from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia and China.
He said the exhibition, opened daily from 9 am to 9 pm was targeting about 2.5 million visitors. -- BERNAMA