PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry (MOE) has confirmed that no Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination centres have been closed due to floods, after activating early contingency plans including preparing alternative venues for all affected schools and those used as temporary relief centres (PPS).
Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the measures were drawn up in advance with the Examination Syndicate and related agencies to prevent any disruption to the exam schedule.
“Schools operating as PPS or those at risk of flooding will not affect the examinations because the MOE has already arranged alternative classrooms, hostels or nearby centres to place candidates.
“For schools used as PPS, we anticipated this well in advance. If the hall is needed to shelter flood evacuees, exams will be moved to classrooms or other designated centres,” he said after visiting SMK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) on the first day of the SPM exams today.
He said all high-risk centres — including those near rivers or roads prone to closure — have been monitored ahead of time.
Candidates identified as having difficulty reaching exam locations have been relocated earlier to hostels to ensure they sit for the papers without interruption.
“The MOE also identified candidates living in flood-prone areas and engaged with parents to ensure smooth movement to exam centres.
“Some centres only involve two or three candidates. They were moved earlier. We also rely on government agencies to transport candidates if roads are cut off,” he added.
As of yesterday, 259 candidates were reported affected by floods, but all have received assistance and suitable placement to ensure they can sit for their exams as scheduled.
He said close coordination through OPS Payung with Nadma, the Fire and Rescue Department, police and other agencies ensured swift mobilisation of aid for candidates and invigilators.
Earlier, Dr Mohd Azam met with 228 SPM candidates at SMK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) to offer encouragement before they began their examination.
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