KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 421,706 students are sitting for this year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination from today to Dec 13.
The candidates are taking their examinations at 3,308 centres nationwide, overseen by 33,361 invigilators.
It was reported that out of the total number of candidates, 362,754, or 86 per cent, are from government schools, government-aided schools and government-aided religious schools.
The rest comprised 9,427 candidates, or 2.3 per cent, from schools under government agencies; 8,160 candidates from state religious secondary schools; 14,001 students from private schools registered with the ministry; 25,305 private candidates; and, 2,059 pupils from Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat.
In PERAK, a total of 36,072 candidates sat for the SPM exam today.
According to state education, technology, science and environment committee chairman Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, a total of 325 examination centres have been opened, catering to 33,916 candidates from government schools, 2,156 candidates from private schools and 111 from special needs schools.
"This time around, three of the candidates had to take their exams from two hospitals in the state," he said when met at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Anderson this morning.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, a total of 16,946 candidates sat for SPM while 1,414 candidates are taking the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) today.
State Education director Pkharudddin Ghazali said 148 examination centres have been opened for 14,819 candidates from government schools, seven from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA, state religious school (one), private schools (9) and 926 individual candidates.
“10 candidates are taking their exam in hospitals this year," he said.
In SARAWAK, a total of 36,106 candidates are undergoing the exam.
Deputy director of Sarawak’s Education Department Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus said 33,645 of the candidates are students of government schools (SMKs).
He said 1,063 are students of private schools and 1,398 are independent candidates.
“This year, all candidates are sitting for the exam at 275 examination centres state-wide.
“They are being overseen by 277 invigilators and 2,140 prefects,” Abang Mat Ali added.
In PAHANG, 24,424 candidates are sitting for the exam.
According to Pahang Education director Dr Tajuddin Mohd Yunus, all candidates are sitting for the exam at 227 examination centres across the state.
“They will be overseen by 1,722 invigilators,” he added.
Tajuddin said the candidates include 73 special needs students and 310 Orang Asli pupils.
As this is the monsoon season, Pahang has an action plan in place, in the event that floods interrupt the examination process.
“All necessary preparations have been made at the department and school levels,” he added.