KUALA LUMPUR – There is less than 24 hours to go before the 401,105 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates sit the major public examination, albeit in a new normal.
Unlike previous years, where candidates enter the examination hall armed with only their pens and knowledge, candidates now are also required to don face masks and use hand sanitisers to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
To ensure that students are in a safe environment while sitting the papers, final preparations are taking place at 3,310 SPM examination centres nationwide, in accordance with guidelines and standard operating procedures set by the National Security Council and Health Ministry.
In JOHOR, state Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Yahaya Madis said the 288 secondary schools involved in the examination have been sanitised, with disinfected areas including the school hall, classrooms and quarantine rooms.
He said sanitation will be done only once during the examination period, but should a Covid-19 case be reported, another round will be conducted.
In KEDAH, state Religion, Education and Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Najmi Ahmad said the management of the respective schools in the state has given great emphasis on the safety and health of students sitting the SPM examination.
There are 29,939 candidates in the state, with Sg Petani recording the highest number of candidates at 5,944, followed by Kota Star (4,931), Kulim (4,138), Kubang Pasu (3,495) and Baling (2,623).
In KELANTAN, state Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin said SPM candidates who are infected and/or undergoing quarantine, will not sit the examination tomorrow.
Instead, he said, these candidates will be grouped together to sit the examination at a later date, which will be set after they have completed their isolation period.
In PENANG, state Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar said with sanitation carried out in schools since last week, it is hoped that students, staffers and parents will be less anxious about safety issues. – Bernama, February 21, 2021
