JOHOR IMPLEMENTS USE OF METAL DETECTORS AT ALL 372 SPM EXAM CENTRES

JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Johor has implemented the use of metal detectors at all 372 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination centres today to strengthen the integrity and safety of the examination process in the state.

State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the move is to ensure no candidates take any prohibited devices or items into the examination hall, in line with technological developments that allow for covert recordings or communication.

"All examination centres have these metal detectors for screening purposes to prevent prohibited items from being brought into these places,” he said after visiting Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail here for a first-hand look at the first day of the examination today.

He said every examination centre had been supplied with a metal detector by the State Education Department (JPN) to ensure uniformity in the state-wide implementation.

Aznan said the use of metal detectors could be expanded to daily use in schools, adding that it would be discussed further next year. 

Meanwhile, Aznan assured that the state government and the state JPN have devised comprehensive preparedness plans to ensure the SPM examination is not affected by bad weather or floods.

He said that, so far, a total of 49,654 SPM candidates in the state, including government and private schools, MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) and private candidates, are sitting for the examination, with all 373 exam centres operating as normal.

Aznan, who said that monitoring has been specifically enhanced in flood-prone areas, like Segamat, and several other hotspots, also hopes that the whole examination process will proceed without any hindrances until the final day on Dec 23.

-- BERNAMA