GEORGE TOWN, Feb 20 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has reiterated its directive to all State Education Departments (JPN) to collaborate with the local authorities in monitoring and regulating food and beverage sales outside school premises.
Education Director-General Azman Adnan said the regulations, outlined in the Guidelines on Enforcement of the Ban on Food and Beverage Sales Outside School Gates (Second Edition 2021) must be strictly observed.
MOE, via the Penang JPN, is closely monitoring the situation and prioritising the well-being of the affected student and their family.
“Although MOE does not have direct jurisdiction over vendors operating outside school premises, incidents like these and their impact on student safety must be taken seriously,” he told Bernama today.
This comes after reports of Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz Mohammad Fakhruddin, a Year Four student, remains in critical condition in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Penang Hospital after choking on a gummy candy he purchased outside school.
The 10-year-old SK Sungai Dua, Butterworth, allegedly bought two pieces of candy before attending Quran and Fardu Ain classes at 2.30pm on Tuesday (February 18).
According to his aunt Siti Farhani Muhammad Fikri, 33, Fahmi began choking and struggled to breathe but managed to approach his teacher before collapsing.
Azman said that JPNs and schools must report any food sales occurring within a 40-metre radius of school gates to local authorities.
He reaffirmed the MOE's commitment to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of students, teachers and school communities.
— Bernama
