Parents heave a sigh of relief over SPM news

JOHOR BARU: Parents are relieved that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations have been postponed to February.

Fisherman Sia Thiam Kek, 51, said this would give his son ample time to prepare.

“I was quite worried about my son’s studies as he has been telling me that the online home-based learning, PdPR, was not enough to cover the Form Five syllabus and some schoolwork was not even graded.

“Although the SPM postponement may delay his graduation from secondary school, I am glad to see the Education Ministry having a plan rather than just leaving the students in the lurch,” he said.

Sia hopes the February examination will not be delayed further.

“If need be, more PdPR sessions should be conducted to ensure all topics are covered and that the students are well-prepared for the examination,” he said.

Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said the oral and science practical exams would start in February 2022 and the written exams in March.

Liza Jaafar, 39, whose daughter would be sitting for SPM 2021, said “as a mother, while our children’s education is important, their health and well-being is an even bigger concern for us”.

“Continuing PdPR and postponing the exams meant that our children would be safer at home and less exposed to the virus,” she said.

The mother-of-six is also hopeful the Covid-19 situation will get better soon so that her daughter can sit for her exams safely.