Relief sweeps through schools with SPM finally under way

KUALA LUMPUR – Both tension and relief commingled in the air as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students streamed into schools in Petaling Jaya for the exams.

Many were seen excitedly discussing questions, while others quietly waited to enter and take their place in the exam hall.

Navamani Mari accompanied her daughter, Vedhaarsini Selvanayagam, to the exam hall in a show of moral support on what may well be the latter’s most important day in academia, having waited 14 long months for the exams.

“It hasn’t been easy for most of the children, as online teaching is not equal to face-to-face teaching, and also, the warmth and compassion of teachers in helping those who are slower is not there. But, we have to get on with our lives and go to the next level for her,” said Navamani.

On Covid-19 standard operating procedures, Associate Prof Gunasegaran Karuppannan, who serves on the committee of the parent-teacher association at SMK Abdul Samad, only had praise for the way in which parents worked with teachers and the principal to ensure the guidelines by the Education Ministry are followed closely.

The guidelines issued to all schools are comprehensive, covering a list of to-dos not only for students, but also parents and school administrators, he said.

“Among the SOPs, SPM students have to ensure their body temperature does not exceed 37.5°C and that they do not display any other health issues, such as cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties.

“Also, the need to wear face masks and to sanitise their hands. For parents, they have to ensure there is no risk of Covid-19 infection, the body temperature of their child is normal, and all documents for the exams are complete.”

The guidelines specific to schools are detailed in terms of ensuring social distancing among students and that an isolation room is available for those displaying symptoms like cough.

The distance between tables for SPM candidates is set at 1.5m, while the need for an isolation room is in case of Covid-19 infections. The SOPs also include the preparation of food for candidates, so that there is no need for them to leave the school compound.

According to Karshun Arul, Devendren Raj and Roshanraj Pillai, all in the arts stream, the Bahasa Malaysia paper was unexpectedly tough, but they will march on and prepare for their other papers.

Fatin Nabilah and Nasha Zulakha, who are good friends studying for the exams together, said: “We are happy to have started the exams. The pressure on us to do well is tremendous. We hope to do well.

“Our parents are relieved, too, as it has been a long time that we’ve studied online and our school has followed the SOPs. Everything has gone well.”

Haja Mohiden Rashid, whose son is a prefect, said he is glad SPM has begun.

He has been working as a Grab driver to ensure his child has Wi-Fi connection to follow online classes, as well as attend tuition, as e-learning has not covered everything in the syllabus.

Parents waiting to pick up their children expressed happiness and relief that the exams are running smoothly, and said they look forward to planning the next step of their kids’ education. – The Vibes, February 23, 2021