SPM MALAY LANGUAGE ORAL TEST PROCEEDS SMOOTHLY DESPITE FLOODS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, which began today with the Malay Language oral test, is running smoothly, including in flood-hit states, thanks to good planning and coordination between ministries and agencies to ensure no student is left behind.

Yesterday, the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that the Malay Language oral test, scheduled to take place from today until Dec 5, will proceed as planned, including in the nine flood-ravaged states, based on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Ops Payung.

In TERENGGANU, the ongoing floods do not affect the oral test, which involves 261 students. The students were transported from the temporary relief centres to alternative examination centres.

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Terengganu Education Department (JPNT) director, Jelani Sulong, said that the process of moving the students began as early as 6 am, with assistance from various security agencies, including the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and the Civil Defence Force (APM).

"The operation went smoothly following the Ops Payung procedures implemented by JPNT. A total of 261 students from the relief centres safely arrived at the alternative examination centres this morning.

"Some students wore school uniforms, sportswear, and modest casual clothing. Regardless of their attire, they were cheerful and appeared eager to sit for the examination," said Jelani, after conducting a visit to the alternative examination centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tengku Mizan, Kuala Nerus this morning.

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Jelani added that 18,907 SPM candidates, including 1,734 students affected by the floods, are sitting for the SPM examinations this year. 

In KELANTAN, 144 candidates at SMK Kuala Krai took the oral test despite their area being struck by floods.

Previously, the school had told parents that all SPM candidates would be accommodated in the dormitory due to concerns about potential untoward events during the flood.

The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) also helped to ensure the smooth process of the examination, such as in Tumpat, where 37 teachers were transported by fire truck to collect the exam papers from the vault at SMK Tumpat, as several routes to the school were inundated.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, state education department acting director Putra Hashim said that all candidates did not face any issues, adding that the 28 candidates placed in relief centres have returned home following the improvement in the flood situation in their areas.

"Overall, everything went smoothly, and no one was affected," he said, adding that 16,125 candidates in the state are sitting for the Malay Language oral test, including students from schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE), Mara Junior Science Colleges, private and international schools.

The 2024 SPM examination, which began today and will run until Feb 6, involves 402,956 candidates and takes place across 3,337 examination centres nationwide.

In PAHANG, 37 students out of 20,404 SPM candidates in the state were affected by the floods and have been assisted to sit for the examination, according to state education director Amzan Abd Malek.

"This morning…SMK Clifford in Lipis was flooded, but it did not affect the examination.

"Additionally, 12 examination staff who were stranded on their way to Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Basriah and SMK Kuala Tembeling were assisted by the APM to reach their destinations," he said when contacted today.

In KEDAH, MOE secretary-general, Datuk Ruji Ubi, said that 28,953 candidates are sitting for SPM, with over 530 candidates identified as being affected by the floods, adding that these students have been placed in dormitories to facilitate their participation in the exams.

A candidate, Nur Awatif Solehah Mohd Amir, 17, from Taman Kancil, shared that her preparations for the examination were not disrupted despite her home being flooded last Friday.

Now staying in the dormitory, she said everything went smoothly for the oral test this morning.

Hairy Fezry Salary, 17, from Kampung Alor Ganu, said: "Although there was flooding and I had to move to the dormitory, I had no difficulties focusing on my studies. The oral test also went smoothly and well without any issues," he said.

In PERLIS, state education director Rose Aza Che Arifin said that the SPM's Malay Language oral test proceeded smoothly, with no SPM candidates facing any obstacles in sitting for the test today.

One candidate affected by the floods, Muhammad Amirul Alif, expressed his gratitude, saying that all the necessary arrangements for his examination were in place. He added that his family was allowed to return home after the floodwaters receded yesterday.

-- BERNAMA