In deep thought: A student contemplating the Malay language question paper 1 at SMK Puteri Seremban. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 403,637 candidates are sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) written examination beginning yesterday until March 15 at 3,355 examination centres nationwide.
In Kuala Lumpur, some 19,932 candidates sat for the SPM at 154 examination centres, with 15,500 from government schools, government agencies (250), private schools (2,513) and private candidates (1,669), said Kuala Lumpur Education director Norhayati Ab Wahab.
In Melaka, 12,907 SPM candidates sat for the examination at 102 centres throughout the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said of the total, 11,037 were from government schools, government agencies (694), religious schools (23), private schools (211) and private candidates (942).
In Perak, state Education Department deputy director Rahimah Mohamed said 32,736 candidates sat for the SPM yesterday.
They include 108 candidates with special needs and three who are taking the examination in hospitals.
In Pahang, of the 20,850 candidates who sat for the SPM at 263 examination centres statewide, 116 were candidates with special needs, while eight took the examination in three hospitals due to health problems, said state education director Mohammad Rosli Abdul Rahman.
One last round: St Xavier’s Institution students doing their final revision at the school lobby in George Town, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
In Negri Sembilan, 16,815 candidates sat for the SPM at 144 examination centres compared with 16,758 in 2021, an increase of 57 candidates (0.3%), said state Education Department deputy director Dr Norisah Suhaili.
She said of the total, 14,869 were from government schools, 770 from private schools and 638 were private candidates, 393 from the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), 81 from state religious schools and 64 from state government schools.
In Sarawak, 36,523 candidates sat for the SPM examination at 259 centres, according to state Education Department (Assessment and Examination Sector) assistant director Rizuan Mohd.
He said of the total, 34,268 were candidates from government schools, 1,107 were private candidates, 766 from private secondary schools, 24 from religious schools and 358 from other institutes.
In Penang, some 19,501 candidates sat for the SPM at 147 examination centres, said Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying.
She said 15 candidates sat for their examination in hospitals due to various health issues, while five candidates who tested positive for Covid-19 will be taking their SPM after completing their quarantine.
In Terengganu, 18,751 candidates sat for the SPM at 176 centres, said state Education Department deputy director Awi Salleh.
A friend in need: A candidate pushing her friend’s wheelchair to the examination hall at SMK Arau. — Bernama
Of the total, he said 16,891 were candidates from government schools, Majlis Amanah Rakyat or Mara (564), religious schools (233), private schools (69), private candidates (904) and state religious schools (90).
In Kelantan, 27,119 candidates sat for the SPM at 286 examination centres across the state, said state Education Department deputy director Mohd Zin Halim.
In Perlis, 3,569 candidates, including 121 private candidates, sat for the SPM at 35 centres statewide, according to state education director Naharudeen Othman.
In Kedah, state education director Rozaini Ahmad said 29,745 candidates sat for the SPM at 264 examination centres in the state.
In Johor, 48,759 candidates including 1,796 private candidates and 149 candidates with special needs sat for the SPM at 367 examination centres, said state Education Department deputy director Anuar Sukiran.
In Sabah, state Education Department deputy director Mohd Zaini Yanin said a total of 40,148 candidates including 36,026 students from government schools, government agencies (456) and religious schools (257) sat for the examination at 314 centres.
In case of flooding, he said the state department would activate ‘Op Payung’, to help candidates to get to their examination centres.
“Parents are urged to contact the school if they have trouble sending their children to examination centres so that help can be sent immediately, and throughout the examination period, the state Education Department’s Operation Room can be reached at 088-513583,” he added. — Bernama
