BATU PAHAT: The Education Ministry (MoE) has identified 133 alternative examination centres in six states to ensure Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates can continue their examinations if their designated venues are affected by floods.
Education Department director-general Azman Adnan said the alternative centres are located in areas identified as high risk for flooding during the Northeast Monsoon in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, Johor, and Sabah.
"This proactive measure ensures that the SPM examination process remains uninterrupted despite potential challenges posed by floods," he said at a press conference after visiting the first day of written SPM examinations at Sekolah Tinggi Batu Pahat today (Jan 2).
He said the ministry implemented the contingency plans in collaboration with various agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency, the Armed Forces, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force, the Social Welfare Department, and the Health Ministry.
"If a school designated as an exam centre is affected by flooding, the candidates will be relocated to one of the alternative centres," he said.
Azman said state education department directors have confirmed there are no current issues affecting the examination, despite some schools being recently impacted by floods.
"As of yesterday afternoon, I was informed that all affected students had returned home, and exam centres nationwide are operating as scheduled," he said.
This year, 402,956 candidates are sitting for the written SPM exams, which run from today until Feb 6 at 3,337 centres nationwide.
Among these candidates, 87.1 per cent (350,943) are from government-aided schools, while the rest are private candidates and others.
Additionally, 2,081 candidates with Special Education Needs are taking the exams, supported by 44,968 exam personnel.
The MoE is also fully prepared to provide psychosocial support for SPM candidates affected by floods. Teams of guidance counsellors at schools, district education offices, and state education departments are on standby to assist.
"Our response mechanism includes relocating affected candidates to schools with boarding facilities, as we successfully implemented during the SPM oral exams in past flood seasons," Azman said.
The ministry is committed to ensuring that all candidates, regardless of the challenges, have the necessary support to complete their examinations successfully, he said.