68,000 in Sabah sit for SPM, STPM exams

KOTA KINABALU: A total of 40,053 Form Five students will sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam between November 6 and December 4 this year, while 27,966 students will sit for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) exam which will be held between November 6 and 21.

Sabah State Education Department director Datuk Hajah Maimunah Suhaibul said this during a press conference yesterday that a total of 40,053 SPM candidates would sit for this year’s exam including 132 disabled students, while 27,966 candidates would sit for STPM, including 21 disabled students.

She added that the targeted State Average Grade (GPN) for SPM and STPM are 4.70 and 2.60 respectively, and was confident they would be achieved given this year’s education programmes.

Acknowledging recent weather conditions, Maimunah also said proactive steps had been taken at all levels especially in District Education Offices (PPD) and schools, which would be implemented if necessary.

“We have a standard operating procedure for floods and natural disasters and we have alerted schools in flood-prone areas to be prepared.

“I hope the PPD will enforce their respective District Public Exam Safety Committees, and liaise with other agencies to ensure candidates can still sit for the exam despite bad weather conditions,” she said.

Other measures taken include advising schools with hostels to accommodate students who live in flood-prone areas during the examination period.