Preparing early: Fadhlina (left) inspecting a display of tools at SK Taman Dato’ Harun (2) in Kuala Lumpur. The school hosted a launch ceremony for the ministry’s flood preparations yesterday.
Fadhlina: Plans in place so candidates can still sit for exams
PETALING JAYA: Students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination this year do not need to worry as steps are in place to ensure they can take their tests even if it floods, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Among the measures are having candidates who are relocated to temporary evacuation centres (PPS) undergo their examinations at the centre, she said.
“Since the SPM examinations begin on Dec 5, this preparation process (for the northeast monsoon) also includes the preparation for SPM,” Fadhlina told reporters after the launch ceremony for the preparations here yesterday.
ALSO READ: Floods: 10 relief centres opened in Selangor, Perak
She said arrangements have also been made for relocating students residing in dormitories to PPS if necessary.
“Currently, there are 5,063 schools that have been gazetted as PPS and we have prepared detailed instructions for about seven or eight schools, which will be transformed into permanent transfer centres (pusat pemindahan kekal),” she added.
In a statement yesterday, the Education Ministry said preliminary measures for the monsoon included providing plastic chairs and tables to schools at risk of flooding, distributing volunteer kits for post-flood cleaning activities in affected educational institutions, and working together with key disaster management agencies such as the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Malaysian Meteorology Department (MetMalaysia), the Social Welfare Department, and the Health Ministry.
ALSO READ: Residents in flood-prone areas advised to take precautions, comply with instructions
The ministry anticipates four to six monsoon episodes that will bring continuous rainfall, potentially leading to flooding, especially along the east coast of the peninsula and in the western region of Sarawak.
“Continuous rain may occur in states on the west coast due to strong monsoon rains or the presence of a low-pressure system in the region.
“People are encouraged to remain vigilant, especially during these periods, and to stay updated on weather forecasts and warnings issued by MetMalaysia,” it added.
ALSO READ: Floods: Over 5,000 relief centres prepped, says Education Minister
On another matter, Fadhlina said her ministry is arranging the SPM exam timelines in order for the start of school year to revert to January.
“We will proceed as planned, aligning the timeline with our focus to ensure it returns to January.
“Rest assured, we will rearrange (the timeline) according to what we have established,” the minister said, emphasising that there was no need for concern as the timeline will be strictly adhered to.
In August, the ministry announced that the SPM 2023 exams will take place from Dec 5 to March 7 2024 – earlier, compared with the SPM 2022 examinations, that were held from Jan 30 to March 15 this year.
