GEORGETOWN: The Penang Education Department said that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam will go on as planned in the flood-ravaged state, and that it will ensure that all candidates affected by the inundation will be able to sit for the examination tomorrow.
Its director, Shaari Osman, said that a special SPM Security Committee comprising various agencies has been set up to deal with the flood situation.
He said he has instructed that no secondary school in the state is used as a relief centre to accommodate flood victims.
"So far, only one secondary school at Teluk Kumbar will be used as a flood relief centre. We have asked all parties to use the National School for the purpose.
"Also, we will give the assurance that any SPM candidate involved in the flood will get help to (reach their) examination centre," he said when contacted today.
Elaborating further, Shaari said that if SPM candidates are facing problems reaching their registered examination centres, the candidates can sit for their exam at any nearby school.
"Meanwhile, candidates in flood-affected schools such as the Al-Mashoor Religious Secondary School (Men) and SMK Seri Mutiara need not worry because the examination hall is at the top of the school, and not inundated" he said.
Shaari added that he hopes SPM candidates in the state can answer their exam questions calmly, despite the disruption caused by the natural disaster.
Heavy rain lasting more than 17 hours since 12.30pm yesterday had worsened flooding which had already hit the state yesterday.
The sudden rise of water and strong winds have crippled most areas in George Town and Seberang Perai, and triggered landslides and uprooted trees, causing massive traffic congestion in the state.
Translated from Berita Harian