KOTA KINABALU – Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has urged the Education Ministry to review the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam schedule as certain papers fall on Friday and Sunday, sidelining the principles of the Rukun Negara.
He said the SPM – which is scheduled on March 3-20 – sees some papers falling on Fridays and Sundays, which will hinder Muslim and Christian students from sitting for the exam.
“Friday is a day for Muslims to conduct their congregational prayers, while Sunday is a day for Christians to go to church. There are also Seventh-Day Adventist Christians who go to church on Saturday.
“Such a schedule arrangement is sidelining the Rukun Negara (which includes belief in God), and it is truly insensitive towards the community of different races and religions in the country,” Tangau said in a statement today.
The Tuaran MP said such a thing should not happen, and urged the government to cancel or reschedule papers that fall on Friday and Sunday.
“Not only is it against the Rukun Negara, but it is also tarnishing the image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – for such a schedule is against the Keluarga Malaysia concept that he introduced.”
Tangau said the change in schedules must be coordinated with teachers, as stated by the National Union of the Teaching Profession.
“Have empathy for teachers – give them space for a break during the weekend. Teachers are not robots, they need rest and time for their families.
“SPM students could also use the weekend to calm themselves before continuing the exam the next day.”
The SPM exam schedule has been criticised over the weekend for cramming major papers within a short period of time, leaving students with less time to prepare. – The Vibes, November 21, 2021
