Kedah education director Abdul Rahman Yub has dismissed a claim that several students in certain Chinese primary schools have not received some of their workbooks or textbooks since school re-opened on Jan 3.

He also said the department would investigate the claim by the (Chinese) Schools Directors' Union, according to a report in Sin Chew Daily today.

Abdul Rahman said there were sufficient workbooks and textbooks and any Chinese school that has not received these should inform the state education department to rectify the situation.

He was responding to questions after launching the department's donation drive, to assist teachers and students affected by the tsunami which hit parts of Kedah, among other states, on Dec 26. Students from 685 schools in the state are being encourage to donate.

The Chinese Schools Directors' Union had said the workbook shortage involves students from Year One to Three, while the textbook shortage affects some in Year 3.

"Students involved in the book aid programme should have received the textbooks. Any school experiencing problems should inform the department immediately," Abdul Rahman said, adding that no complaints had been received to date.

Dengue-hit areas

Meanwhile, Oriental Daily News quoted Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek as saying the incidence of dengue fever is under control.

However, he advised anyone with such symptoms as fever, pain and vomiting to go for a blood test to confirm the cause of the illness.

He said Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Pahang are high-risk areas for dengue fever because there has been a recent increase in the number of cases in these states.

Chua said the ministry's disease control group will provide twice-weekly updates on the situation through the media.

"We don't want to frighten the public, but we want to solve the problem. Last year, the disease took 60 lives. A rise in cases was noted from the 47th week of last year," he is reported to have said.

Chua called upon non-governmental organisations, residents and other groups to co-operate with the ministry to clean up residential areas in order to prevent the Aedes mosquitos from breeding.