Feb 24 deadline for feedback

Parents must give their views on early SPM exams by then

Parents and stakeholders who want to share their views on the proposed SPM timetable need to do so by Feb 24.

Examination Syndicate director of examinations Adzman Talib said all views should be sent to Education Ministry policy and development management sector head Dr Rahimah Adam at rahimah.adam@moe.gov.my.

While the timetable is still a draft, Adzman said it would be the first time the examinations will be held in October.

“The finalised timetable will be released on March 7.

“We are waiting for responses from various parties, including all the state education departments, district education offices, non-governmental organisations and also religious bodies, for their input,” he said when contacted.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik had said the proposal to bring forward the SPM was to ensure that floods would not disrupt the exams.

Dr Maszlee said the ministry was open to views from parents, students and stakeholders.

On the proposed timetable, Adzman said that teachers are happy with it as it gives stu- dents more time to study for their core subjects.

“Dr Maszlee is concerned for the welfare of teachers who are invigilators for the exams, and it is his wish that the SPM ends earlier.

“The marking of the papers would be done earlier as well so this would give teachers more time to rest before the new school year begins.

“We are working towards releasing the SPM results earlier as well,” he added.

A parent, who wanted to be known only as Tung, said bringing the SPM exams forward might cause a negative chain reaction for other students.

“If the exams are held a month earlier, wouldn’t it inevitably mean that schools would have to bring forward their exams for the rest of the students as well?

“And what happens once these students are done with their papers? They would spend more time in school without actual learning taking place.

“Manage the floods and not the students,” he said.

Student Thaera Roy, 17, feels the schedule is stressful.

“It’s good that we will finish a particular subject in one day, leaving us with extra time to study for the other subjects.

“However, the negative with this is that, we will not have enough time to gauge and analyse the types of questions that may vary from one paper to another for that subject.

“It is also quite tiring to have to sit for backto-back papers with just little breaks in between,” she said.

Another student, who is only known as Anand, 17, said the timetable was less time consuming compared to previous SPM timetables.

“The stress and worrying over SPM will no longer be a burden for us as we get to deal with this important exam earlier,” said Anand.

And what happens once these students are done with their papers? They would spend more time in school without actual learning taking place.

Concerned parent