KUALA LUMPUR: SPM candidates affected by the floods should be allowed to postpone their exams to another session at a more suitable time next year, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
The Indera Mahkota MP said that he had personally experienced the hardship of the impact of floods when he was at school.
"For two weeks, I had to relocate with my late father and mother, both of them were teachers, and we lost everything at home, including school equipment.
"We had to use a boat to get around and I understand the struggles of our children and students.
"The anxiety and stress from being displaced, unable to save belongings, including school supplies and SPM notes. But most importantly, the stress of ensuring our own safety," he said while debating the Budget 2025 for the Education Ministry on Tuesday (Dec 3).
He said that when Perikatan Nasional was the government, they had introduced a second session for students to sit for the SPM examinations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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"I commend the Education Ministry, especially the staff, officers and teachers, who worked tirelessly, day and night, to ensure the SPM examination could proceed.
"There were situations where students had to be transported in fire trucks to sit for their exams.
"To the students taking their exams on Tuesday (Dec 3), we extend our empathy for the difficulties they face.
"So, I propose to the Education Minister and the government, is it possible to allow SPM candidates affected by floods to sit for the SPM examinations during a second session at another suitable time?" asked the former higher education minister.
"Some of our children, though affected, are still able to take the exam because they had been relocated to hostels or stayed with relatives.
"These students can proceed with their exams as they want to complete them quickly.
"However, there are those who are too severely affected, both physically and psychologically, to sit for their exams.
"For these students, as I’ve explained earlier, could we not consider allowing them to sit for a second session of the SPM?" he reiterated.
He stressed that it was not about delaying the SPM exams for all students but for those who are affected.
"We do not want to postpone for everyone, but only for those genuinely affected. It’s irrelevant to say that we are trying to delay unnecessarily.
"Students will still have time to apply to higher education institutions. After all, if they don’t pass the SPM, how can they enrol in any institution?" said Saifuddin.
