Over 35,000 candidates in Sarawak siting for SPM 2023 written exams
KUCHING: A total of 35,885 candidates in Sarawak are sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 written examinations, which commenced yesterday and would run until this March 7.
According to Education Department Sarawak director Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad, there are 257 examination centres across the state, and the department has appointed 2,531 invigilators to ensure smooth running of the examinations.
“Candidates are advised to contact their respective schools or the state Education Department immediately if they cannot make it to the examination centre due to natural disasters,” he told reporters when met during his visit to Sekolah Seni Malaysia Sarawak (SSeMS) at Jalan Sultan Tengah here early yesterday.
Azhar said as of now, the department had yet to receive any report concerning schools being hit by floods.
However, Azhar stressed that the department was ready for any eventuality of floods that could affect the examinations, in view of the northeast monsoon season, adding that schools at risk of being flood-hit had been identified.
“At state-level, we have formed a disaster committee comprising officials from federal and state agencies, such as Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force (APM), the Armed Forces, People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), Resident’s Office, the police and Chief Government Security Office (CGSO).”
He also said SPM 2023 candidates who might be affected by floods had been requested to stay at the school’s hostel, and parents could contact the nearest Education Office for further information about the assistance available.
The department, in a statement, said the oral and written SPM 2023 examinations had coincided with the Thaipusam Festival on Jan 25, Federal Territories Day on Feb 1, Israk Mikraj on Feb 8, and Chinese New Year on Feb 10-12.
No examination would be held on Friday and the weekends.
Nationwide, the written examinations for SPM 2023 involve 395,870 candidates at 3,340 examination centres, including in flood-hit states of Pahang and Terengganu.
The SPM 2023 examinations’ schedule can be downloaded via http://lp.moe.gov.my/.