IPOH, Feb 17- School administrators are reminded to follow previously set guidelines regarding hot weather.

Deputy Education Minister, Wong Kah Woh said this follows the hot and dry weather conditions affecting most of the northern areas of the Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang and Kelantan starting this month until next May.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will also be in constant contact with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) regarding the matter.

"The MOE, State Education Department (JPN) and schools always monitor weather updates issued by METMalaysia and take appropriate action according to existing guidelines," he said.

"Parents are encouraged to provide sufficient drinking water for their children and at the same time, the school will also ensure there is adequate supply of drinking water for all children," he added.

Wong said this to reporters after observing the first day of school at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Tack, here today.

Meanwhile, Wong disclosed there was an increase in the number of Year 1 students registered this year, which was 461,198 compared to only 447,082 last year.

As for preschoolers, there are 205,051 children this year, 17,547 students in transitional classes and 460,494 Form One students.

In total, there are 5.14 million students nationwide, of which 2.978 million are in primary schools and 2.161 million are in secondary schools.