Students sit for elective papers in phase one of SPM

Full concentration: SPM candidates sitting for the Sains Rumah Tangga exam at SMK Tengku Afzan in Kuantan. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2019 began with students sitting for elective papers during the first phase of the examination.

Khairunissa Khalid, 17, who took technical drawing, said the paper was harder compared with the one during the trial test.

“But I think I can pass, ” she said.

Khairunissa is taking nine subjects.

Starting this year, the SPM is being held in phases – the first will end on Thursday and the second from Nov 5 to 28.

The second phase is on core subjects.

It was introduced by the Education Ministry in its effort to revamp the education system.

Khairunissa’s father Khalid Namat said the examination should be held at one go instead of in two phases.

“Why do they need a break in between? The students are all focused on getting it over, but with a break it could disrupt their preparation, ” he noted.

Penang Education Department deputy director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad said a total of 20,800 candidates were sitting for the SPM in 153 examination centres statewide.

He said the candidates had been advised to be in the examination hall 15 minutes before the test begins.

The ministry said 416,416 candidates had registered for the examination that would be held at 3,313 centres nationwide.

A total of 32,423 invigilators have been appointed to ensure the examination goes smoothly and as scheduled, added the ministry.