KUALA LUMPUR – The completion of the Computer Science paper today marked the end of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2020, which had been delayed since last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Students expressed their relief in various ways, with some prostrating in gratitude and other clapping and cheering now that they are done with the examination that they were supposed to sit for last year.
In Kuala Lumpur, although only 15 candidates sat for the paper on the last day at the SPM 2020 examination centre at Victoria Institution, a loud noise erupted when candidates started cheering to mark the end of one of the country’s main examinations.
Syed Fikri Syaddad Syed Izwan, 18, admitted that although he felt uncomfortable wearing a face mask during the exams, he gladly accepted it as a challenge to getting used to the new norms in a bid to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.
“It will be an unforgettable experience for us as the first group of SPM candidates to face (exam-taking amid) strict compliance with the SOPs (standard operating procedures),” he said when met by Bernama here.
In Negri Sembilan, the challenge of sitting for the examination under new norms compelled most students of SMK Seremban 2 here to redouble their efforts.
Ahmad Syafi Ahmad Sahfengi, 18, said he had to work a lot harder to prepare for the SPM this year as he spent a lot of time studying online instead of undergoing face-to-face learning.
Muhd Afeeq Haiqal, 18, said the atmosphere was different this year as no one was allowed to gather and discuss after leaving the examination hall.
In Kedah, Sultan Abdul Hamid College student representative Muhd Arman Mohd Sobri, 18, in his speech said that he and schoolmates really hope their results will make everyone proud.
Meanwhile, Education Ministry Deputy Planning and Development Secretary-General Noor Azman Abdul Rahman said that despite the pandemic, all students managed to sit for the examination.
“It was not easy to sit for the SPM examination this time because since March last year, students could not go to school. The challenge of teaching and learning was difficult because it was necessary to use the Teaching and Learning at Home method,” he said when addressing the SPM 2020 management in a thanksgiving ceremony at Sultan Abdul Hamid College here today.
In Kelantan, accounting student Alyaa Maisarah Mohd Zamani, 17, was happy that SPM was finally over despite having to sit for it in compliance with stipulated SOP.
“So happy it is all over at last, after having been postponed several times. However, it wasn’t comfortable wearing the face mask during the exams,” she said when met at the thanksgiving ceremony in conjunction with the end of SPM 2020 at SMK Salor, Kota Baru.
In Terengganu, chief invigilator of the SPM examination at SMK Sultan Sulaiman in Kuala Terengganu Muhammad Othman said among the challenges faced during the examination this time was adhering to the SOPs.
“In my 10 years as an examination invigilator, SPM 2020 is the most memorable one. Some of the things we had to comply with included having to wear gloves every time we distributed question papers and putting on new gloves each time we collect the examination papers,” he said when met at the thanksgiving ceremony at the school.
SMK Sultan Sulaiman student head Muhammad Khalil Muzammil Mohamad Yusof, 18, was grateful to finally complete the examination, describing it as an unforgettable experience as he was among the first cohort of candidates to sit for it under new norms.
In Perlis, SMK Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen student Goh Guang Wei, 18, said although he was a bit stressed after the SPM examination was postponed twice, it did not break his spirit to continue studying.
Amirul Azri Zamri, 18, meanwhile, said that he is grateful to have finally completed all seven of his examination papers, and he plans to get a job while waiting for the results.
In Pahang, SMK (LKTP) Jengka 2’s Anis Zulaikha A. Mujaini, 18, also heaved a huge sigh of relief now that the examination is over.
“Previously, I was always wondering and waited with bated breath as to when I would be able to sit for the SPM examination. I intend to apply to an institution of higher learning once I get my SPM results. I am also relieved that everything went smoothly today,” she said.
In Johor, student representative of Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar Luqmanul Hakeem Mohd Nurr, 18, described this year’s SPM examination as very challenging due to the delays following the implementation of the movement control order.
In Penang, chief invigilator Mohd Zulfadli Jusoh said that in terms of student morale, there were no problems as none showed any sign of emotional stress.
“In previous examinations, the space between students was 1m, but due to the Covid-19 SOPs, it was increased to 1.5m,” he said.
In Labuan, SMK Mutiara student representative Muhd Amsyar Dzulqarnain Amirulla said that with more time to prepare and the use of PdPR system, more candidates will be able to obtain better results.
In Perak, R. Ruthannie, 18, a student of SMK Jelapang Jaya in Ipoh, said she is happy to have finally completed the exam, which has been delayed since last year, and thanked her parents for supporting and encouraging her. – Bernama, March 25, 2021
