GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) written test got off to a good start today.
A total of 20,051 candidates are taking their exams at 150 locations across the state.
The New Straits Times observed pupils flowing into Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bukit Jambul, some accompanied by their parents, as early as 6.30 a.m.
Teachers were on hand to closely supervise the pupils’ movements to ensure that they followed the standard operating procedures (SOP) that had been established.
Students were also observed getting their temperatures taken before entering the school grounds.
According to State Education Department Director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad, 18,427 of the total were candidates from 122 government schools.
He stated that 369 candidates came from three Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) and 158 came from eight Sekolah Agama Negeri (SAN).
“From the total of 20,051 SPM candidates in the state this year, 123 are special needs candidates (calon berkeperluan khas – CBK).
“As of yesterday, a total of 137 candidates were affected by Covid-19 and are undergoing quarantine. Some 98 of them tested positive while 39 were identified as close contacts.
“All of them will sit for their SPM exam at a later date to be announced by the Examination Board in the near future,” he told newsmen at SMK Bukit Jambul here this morning.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid stated that a total of 15 hospitals in all five districts have been converted into hospital centres in order to prepare students who experienced health concerns during the SPM examination time.
“If there are any candidates with health issues, they will sit for their written examination at the hospital centres.
“Today, one candidate is sitting for the written exam in the hospital,” he added.
From Monday to March 29, a total of 407,097 students will take the SPM written examination.
