GEORGE TOWN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Schools in Kedah will be closed on Thursday (March 31) and in Perlis until Friday due to the heatwave.

Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said the decision was made after the temperature rose to above 37 deg C in both states.

"We will make a decision if the closure needs to be extended after assessing the weather next week," said Datuk Seri Mahdzir after meeting northern region education officials here on Wednesday.

On the weather in Penang, he said it was within acceptable levels and schools would open as normal in the state.