KUALA LUMPUR – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates need not worry as the format for the examination cannot be changed arbitrarily and will remain as is, said the Education Ministry’s Examinations Syndicate director, Datuk Pkharuddin Ghazali.
He said this is because the SPM certificates are internationally recognised and held to a global standard.
“The curriculum and standard of questions are still the same and, as such, there will be no change in the format. If there are any changes, it will take a minimum of three years and can reach up to five years as it requires research.
“The SPM certificate is of international standard and that is why it cannot be changed arbitrarily. Otherwise, our certificates will be invalid, our children will not be able to pursue further studies abroad, cannot obtain scholarships or find jobs,” he said.
He was speaking on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme today, titled “Peperiksaan Awam Tahun 2020 Dalam Norma Baharu” (Public Examinations for the Year 2020 in the New Norm) here yesterday.
Previously, the Examinations Syndicate had said there would be no changes to this year’s SPM examination format in denying a news report related to purported changes in the format of the examination in the future.
Meanwhile, Pkharuddin said SPM candidates who test positive for Covid-19 or are quarantined due to being a close contact will not be allowed to sit the examination.
“In the guidelines, we clearly state that these two groups of candidates cannot sit for the examination but they will be allowed to sit for the rescheduled examination if they produce certified documents to prove they are free of the virus,” he said.
The SPM and Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) are set to begin on Monday; followed by the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) for the year 2020 as well as equivalent international examinations last year.
A total of 401,105 candidates will sit the SPM examination from February 22 to March 25. – Bernama, February 16, 2021
