Final preparations in full swing ahead of SPM exam
KUALA LUMPUR: There is less than 24 hours to go before the 401,105 candidates of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2020 sit for the major public examination, albeit in a new normal.
Unlike previous years when candidates entered the examination hall with just their pens and the knowledge crammed, candidates this year are also required to don face masks and use hand sanitisers to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
To ensure that students are in a safe environment while sitting for the examination, final preparations including disinfection are taking place at 3,310 SPM examination centres nationwide, in accordance with the guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health (MOH).
In Johor, State Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Yahaya Madis said the 288 secondary schools involved in the examination had been sanitised and the areas included the school hall, classrooms and quarantine rooms.
He said the sanitation process is implemented just once during the examination, but should a Covid-19 case be reported, another round of sanitisation would be conducted at the school.
Meanwhile in Kedah, State Religious, Education and Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Najmi Ahmad assured that the management of the respective schools has given great emphasis on the safety and health of students during the examination.
There are 29,939 candidates in the state and the biggest number is in Sungai Petani district with 5,944 candidates, followed by Kota Setar (4,931); Kulim (4,138); Kubang Pasu (3,495) and Baling has 2,623 candidates.
In Kelantan, State Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin said any SPM candidate who has been infected and is undergoing quarantine, will not sit for the examination today (February 22).
Instead he said, these candidates would be grouped together to sit for the examination later and suitable dates would be chosen after they have completed the quarantine period.
In Penang, State Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar said with the sanitation exercise carried out in schools since last week, it is hoped that students, staff and parents would be less anxious over safety issues. - Bernama