SPM papers under lock and key

KUALA LUMPUR: Security measures for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) have been increased to ensure that there are no leaks in the examination.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that all strongrooms, where examination papers are kept, have been equipped with CCTVs.

“This (the installation of CCTVs) was my immediate order after the leaks in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) happened.

“We’ve also taken steps to improve the way we prepare the question papers and package them (to be transported to schools),” he told reporters after visiting SMK Kiaramas for the first day of SPM yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said there were 526 such strongrooms and added that the ministry would be able to identify the source of any potential “tampering” with the examination papers.

Checking in: Muhyiddin visiting students at SMK Kiaramas during the first day of the SPM examination.

 

“The entire process, from preparation of question papers to the examination hall, is well monitored, with the help of the police,” he said.

Muhyiddin also said the ministry had also prepared “appropriate examination centres” in flood-prone regions, so that Form Five students in such areas can still sit for the SPM.

A total of 455,839 students are sitting for the SPM this year in 3,655 examination centres across the country.

The examination will end on Dec 4.