Fadhlina congratulates SK Putrajaya Presint 11 (1) on top 10 finish in World's Best School Prizes
LANGKAWI: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the selection of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Putrajaya Presint 11(1) as a top 10 finalist for the 2025 World's Best School Prizes in the 'Supporting Healthy Lives' category reflects the strong potential of Malaysian schools to excel globally.
Extending her congratulations to the school community, Fadhlina expressed hope that SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) would go on to win in the next round of the competition.
'I would like to congratulate the teachers, administrators and students of SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1). We hope they will be shortlisted again and go on to secure a win in the upcoming stages. Congratulations and well done.
'This recognition proves that Malaysia, our children, and our schools have tremendous potential. It reflects our model, our culture and most importantly, our schools,' she said at a press conference following the ASEAN Education and Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable (#EduRoundtables2025) held here today.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek noted that Malaysian schools have previously been shortlisted and even won international recognition, particularly under the World's Best School Prizes.
'Previously, we had a school in Penang, another in Banting, and now, this uplifting news from Putrajaya,' she said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the teachers and students of SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1), describing their dedication and efforts as a source of inspiration for all.
In a statement on its website, the award organiser, T4 Education, said the Putrajaya school stood out with its innovative mobile app, HELPIE, which breaks down barriers to mental health support and well-being.
Developed by students for students, HELPIE offers accessible, interactive and engaging mental health resources and, crucially, makes support fun.
To ensure inclusivity for students with limited digital access, the app is pre-installed on school-provided tablets, allowing children to use it throughout the school day.
'Since its implementation, the school has reported a 60 percent drop in student stress levels. More than 90 percent of students now have a better understanding of their emotions, while 87 percent say they are more aware of their stress levels,' the statement added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Role of households in dengue prevention
Tan Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), has remained one of the most pressing public health threats, particularly in tropical urban centers like Kota Kinabalu areas in Sabah. Transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, dengue infections continue to escalate despite years of government-led interventions such as fogging, larviciding, and public health education. While these strategies have played a role in limiting outbreaks, a persistent and frequently overlooked factor continues to undermine control efforts: the household environment. The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) has formulated guidelines on the prevention and control of dengue for households to form a critical frontline in the war against dengue. Understanding and addressing the factors that allow mosquitoes to breed within and around homes is key to breaking the cycle of transmission. The Aedes aegypti mosquito has evolved to thrive in human-made environments. Unlike other species that favor natural wetlands or rural ponds, Ae. aegypti actively seeks out artificial containers with clean, stagnant water for breeding. Commonly found habitats include buckets, roof gutters, potted plants, dish trays, old tires, and even bottle caps. Its breeding and biting behaviors further increase its threat: Ae. aegypti bites during the daytime, especially early mornings and late afternoons, often inside homes or in shaded areas near dwellings. Their eggs can survive without water for months, hatching when water becomes available. The entire mosquito life cycle — from egg to larva to adult — can be completed in seven to 10 days under optimal conditions, making it highly efficient at establishing new colonies rapidly after rain or in homes with poor sanitation. Despite this biological advantage, Aedes mosquitoes are not invincible. The most effective weapon against them is not fogging or chemical treatment, but source reduction — the elimination of breeding grounds. In this context, the household becomes both a risk and a solution. Most mosquito breeding occurs within a 100-meter radius of human activity. Studies conducted in Malaysian cities have shown that more than 50% of breeding sites are located within domestic settings, where household water containers, improperly managed waste, and poor drainage systems create ideal conditions. This reality highlights the critical need for residential-level interventions. The IEM Guidelines recommend that each household adopt a systematic and technical approach to prevent mosquito breeding. One of the most effective and simple measures is the weekly 10-minute inspection. Residents are advised to dedicate ten minutes each week to checking both inside and outside their homes for stagnant water. This includes commonly overlooked spots such as flowerpot trays, bathroom floor traps, kitchen sinks, laundry buckets, pet water dishes, and items left outdoors that may collect rainwater. However, inspections must go beyond simply tipping water out. Ae. aegypti eggs adhere to container walls and remain viable for months. Therefore, all water-holding items should be scrubbed, dried, and, where possible, stored in a dry position or covered to prevent refilling by rain or household use. A crucial but often under-managed aspect of residential design is water storage and rainwater harvesting. Many households, especially in semi-urban or water-insecure areas, rely on large containers to store water for cleaning or garden use. If these containers are left uncovered or only partially sealed, they become perfect breeding grounds. The IEM guidelines advise that all water storage should be fully sealed or covered with mosquito-proof mesh with apertures not exceeding 1.2 mm. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems should be designed with self-draining features, overflow outlets, and flush systems to prevent water stagnation in gutters, downpipes, and filtration components. Where sealing is not practical, safe biological larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) may be applied periodically. Roof gutter systems represent another hidden danger. Improperly installed or poorly maintained gutters trap organic matter such as leaves and silt, leading to blocked drains and water accumulation after rainfall. Slopes that are too shallow or absent of overflow mechanisms exacerbate this issue. According to the IEM, gutters should be cleaned at least monthly, and ideally be fitted with leaf guards, inspection ports, and anti-mosquito mesh over drain outlets. Any system collecting roof water should be designed with adequate fall gradient to ensure efficient flow and prevent pooling. The same attention must be paid to sanitation and household plumbing systems. Bathroom floor traps, unused toilets, and rarely used sinks can become stagnant if the water seal is not regularly replenished. Leaky pipes under kitchen cabinets or external taps can also result in puddles that serve as mosquito nurseries. It is advised that homeowners perform plumbing checks quarterly and fix leaking connections promptly. Floor traps and gully traps not in use should be sealed or treated with cooking oil, which forms a surface layer that suffocates larvae. Another often neglected contributor is poor waste management. Discarded items such as broken toys, cans, unused flowerpots, or even polystyrene containers left in gardens or porches can trap rainwater. In high-rise buildings, recycling materials such as plastic bottles or food containers stored in open-air spaces pose additional risk. The guidelines recommend that recyclables be punctured and dried before storage and always kept under cover. Homes should also undertake regular decluttering, particularly in outdoor areas and balconies. Community recycling centers and municipal contractors should support proper collection and disposal to reduce container waste exposure. While engineering solutions and technical recommendations form the backbone of prevention, behavioral change is what ensures their sustainability. Dengue prevention should become part of the household's weekly routine, alongside tasks such as sweeping or taking out the trash. Children should be taught to report stagnant water or mosquito sightings, while household helpers or tenants must be equally informed. Awareness campaigns rooted in WHO's COMBI (Communication for Behavioural Impact) model stress the importance of not just knowledge but habit formation. Posters, fridge magnets, and weekly SMS alerts have been successfully deployed in various localities to serve as reminders. When a suspected dengue case arises in a household, immediate containment is essential. The infected person should always sleep under a mosquito net, including daytime, to avoid being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes, which could then spread the virus. Simultaneously, the household should undergo a detailed inspection, not only of the patient's room but the entire compound. Neighbors must be alerted, and the local vector control unit — such as the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) should be notified to conduct fogging or larviciding in the vicinity. In this effort, stakeholder collaboration is indispensable. Homeowners, property managers, developers and municipal authorities must work together to address shared spaces and structural risks. Developers have a responsibility to incorporate mosquito-resistant design in new housing schemes. This includes proper landscaping to avoid water retention, the use of permeable pavements, well-graded drainage systems, and the installation of sealed water tanks and inspection-accessible gutters. For high-rise or gated communities, property managers must schedule quarterly inspections of rooftop water tanks, basements and sump pits. Maintenance logs should be maintained and subject to health inspections. Local authorities play a crucial role in enforcement and education. DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Hall) and related councils must uphold existing health by-laws that prohibit the harboring of mosquito breeding sites. This can include issuing compound fines or warnings to households found in violation during routine checks. Equally important is the provision of public education materials in multiple languages to reach all segments of the population, including migrant workers and the elderly. Sabah's unique climatic and demographic conditions further intensify the need for household-level dengue resilience. The state's equatorial rainfall patterns and hot temperatures create year-round breeding conditions, while many residents live in low-density housing with access to outdoor space — increasing exposure to container habitats. During the monsoon season, when rain is frequent and intense, mosquito populations can surge rapidly, outpacing fogging efforts. Therefore, household preparation and maintenance must be intensified before, during, and after seasonal peaks. Historical data from Kota Kinabalu district show that dengue outbreaks have occurred in predictable cycles, often corresponding to periods of sustained rainfall and stagnation of preventive efforts. The National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) has noted that case clusters frequently originate from residential areas where multiple breeding sites are found within proximity. In one notable case in Kota Kinabalu district in 2022, over 60% of the breeding sites were traced to household premises, despite weekly fogging efforts in public spaces. This highlights the irreplaceable role of domestic source control. In conclusion, household-level dengue control is not merely an auxiliary component of vector management — it is the foundation upon which all other strategies rest. Engineering controls, environmental design, behavioral adaptation and policy enforcement must converge at the household level to sustainably reduce dengue transmission. The IEM Guidelines offer a scientifically grounded and practically implementable framework for empowering households to play a leading role in mosquito control. In a rapidly urbanizing city like Kota Kinabalu where human activity constantly reshapes the environment, household vigilance, maintenance discipline, and structural design must evolve in parallel. A mosquito-free home is not just a private benefit — it is public responsibility and a civic duty. As dengue continues to pose a threat to public health, the pathway to control lies not in complex technology, but in consistent, collective household action — one container, one drain, and one home at a time.
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Three Malaysian haj pilgrims die from heart attacks in Saudi
PETALING JAYA: There have been two more deaths of Malaysian haj pilgrims in the holy land, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) wrote in a Facebook post on Friday (June 20) that Tabung Haji has managed all the needs of the deceased in accordance with Islamic law, including the management of the burial in the Holy Land. 'On behalf of the Malaysian Government and all members of the haj agency, I express my condolences to the family members of the deceased. May their souls be granted forgiveness, mercy and placed among the righteous,' wrote Mohd Na'im The first pilgrim, Abd Wahab Yahaya, aged 63, from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, died on 19 June at 4.50pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hotel Al-Mubarak, Shisha. The second pilgrim, Mohamed Jafri Yahya, aged 60, from Tanah Rata, Pahang, died on 19 June at 7.39pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hospital Jiwar, Makkah. The third pilgrim, Norizan Tarsi, aged 59, from Butterworth, Penang, died on 20 June at 6.45am (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Abraj Al-Tayseer. More than 31,600 Malaysians performed the haj pilgrimage this year, which concluded on June 9. Malaysian pilgrims had begun returning home from June 14 onwards.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Three more Malaysian haj pilgrims die in Makkah
KUALA LUMPUR: Three more Malaysian pilgrims have died in the Holy City of Makkah, bringing the total number of deaths to date to 19. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the latest fatalities involved pilgrims from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor; Tanah Rata, Pahang; and Butterworth, Penang. He said Abd Wahab Yahaya, 63, from Selangor, passed away at 4.50pm yesterday (June 19) at Hotel Al-Mubarak in Shisha due to a heart attack. The second and third pilgrims, who also succumbed to heart attacks, were Mohamed Jafri Yahya, 60, from Tanah Rata, who died at 7.39pm yesterday at Jiwar Hospital in Makkah, and Norizan Tarsi, 59, from Butterworth, who passed away at 6.45am today (June 20) at Abraj Al-Tayseer. "Tabung Haji has ensured that all burial arrangements were carried out in accordance with syariah law, including burial management in the Holy Land. The next of kin have been informed and guided with compassion and care. "On behalf of the Government of Malaysia and all haj agency staff, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. May their souls be granted forgiveness, mercy, and placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah," he said in a Facebook post yesterday. - BERNAMA
