GEORGE TOWN: It was a smooth start to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination in Penang today.
Some 19,501 candidates sat for the exams at 147 examination centres statewide.
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, who spent about an hour at SM St Xavier to monitor the first day of the written examination, said a total of 15 candidates in the state would sit for their exams in hospitals in all five districts due to various health issues.
"Five candidates, tested positive for Covid-19, will be taking their examination upon the completion of their quarantine.
"As for those displaying Covid-19 symptoms, they will be isolated to sit for the exams," she said.
Nationwide, 403,637 candidates will be taking their written examination from today (Feb 20) to March 15.
A total of 131,318 examination invigilators have been appointed to ensure that the exams are conducted smoothly at the 3,355 examination centres throughout the country.
During her visit, Lim cheered the SPM candidates on as they walked into the examination hall.
"All the best. Good luck," she was heard telling the candidates.