IPOH: The existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Ops Payung have been effective in ensuring that candidates for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) do not miss their examinations, as was recently highlighted.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh assured that the ministry, the Examination Board and state education departments were ready for any eventuality to ensure the examinations went smoothly.
“Just like the flash floods last year, we proved that with the existing SOPs, candidates did not miss the exams.
“Transportation will be provided to candidates, invigilators and anyone else involved,” he said after visiting SMK Raja Chulan here on the first day of SPM yesterday.
Wong said psychosocial counselling would also be provided to those facing difficulties.
“Candidates will be placed at temporary shelters or hostels, while alternative venues will also be prepared if the original venues are affected,” he added.
Wong said Ops Payung had been activated following floods that hit several states nationwide, with three alternative venues for the examinations having been opened.
“In Kelantan, candidates from SMKA Falahiah will take their exams at SMU (A) Nurul Huda Kajang Sebidang in Tumpat.
“In Kedah, SMK Dato Lela Pahlawan is the alternative venue for candidates from SMK Lunas and SMK Padang Serai,” he said.
In Perak, the alternative venue is at SMK Pangkor, due to a landslide that affected SM Tahfiz Darul Ridzuan.
“The original location has been deemed not safe, and the 20 candidates have been relocated to the alternative venue,” he added.
