Quarantined students can sit for SPM, STPM exams later – DG

PETALING JAYA: Students who are quarantined for Covid-19 or fall sick during the upcoming public examinations will sit for the papers they missed at a later date.

Education director-general Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim said the students, including those categorised as close contacts to a positive case, cannot sit for the paper until they have been confirmed to be healthy.

“Candidates who are confirmed (Covid19) positive or quarantined will not be allowed to sit for the exams as long they are under quarantine or sick, ” she said in a virtual press conference on school operations in 2021 yesterday.

However, she added that they could resume sitting for their exams after they have completed their quarantine and were free of the virus.

The candidates will be sitting for the 2020 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia as well as other international level examinations certified by the ministry this year.

"They need to present a letter from the Health Ministry or their doctor proving that they are under quarantine or have tested positive before being allowed to defer the papers.

"These candidates will sit for a different set of papers that have the same standard as the original set taken by other candidates.

"Those who are healthy will definitely be sitting for their papers as scheduled," she said.