‘FLOODS WON’T DISRUPT SPM’
Education Ministry will monitor situation in schools, says deputy minister
THE floods that struck several northern states in the peninsula will not disrupt the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, which will commence as scheduled today.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said the ministry would monitor schools affected by floods.
“I have contacted the Penang and Kedah Education Department directors to get information of the situation and details on their preparations following the floods.
“In Penang, 158 examination centres have been set up for 23,114 candidates to sit SPM.
“Only two centres are affected: SMK Mak Din with 100 candidates, who will be moved to SMK Seberan Prai, and 400 candidates from SMJK Jit Sin will remain at their school.
“Three police pick-up trucks will ferry the students and examination papers to the schools.
“In Kedah, the situation is under control and the examination will proceed as scheduled. A total of 261 examination centres have been set up for 34,672 candidates (state-wide),” Kamalanathan said yesterday.
In George Town, Penang Education Department director haari Osman said a sp ci l SPM Security Committee comprising various agencies had been set up to address issues stemming from the disaster.
Save for one secondary school, Shaari said, the rest would not be converted into temporary relief centres to allow students to sit the examination.
“Only one secondary school in Teluk Kumbar will be used as a flood relief centre. SPM candidates affected by the floods will receive help getting to their examination centres,” he said yesterday.
Shaari said candidates could sit the examination at a nearby school should there be issues in getting to their schools.
“Candidates at flood-hit schools, such as SMA AlMashoor and SMK Seri Mutiara, need not worry as the examination halls are on the top floor.”
In Alor Star, SPM candidates of SMK Bedong and SMK Dato Bijaya Setia in Kuala Muda would not be affected by the floods as the water was only ankle-deep despite heavy rain since Friday morning.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain said the situation in both schools was manageable.
The Kedah Civil Defence Force said 1,052 people were moved to 24 evacuation centres in three districts as of yesterday afternoon.
Its director, LieutenantColonel Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said 12 centres were in Kuala Muda, Yan (four) and Kulim (eight).