Selangor Journal
Students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Section 17, Shah Alam, gather during the morning assembly on the first day of school on January 2, 2020. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI

Govt postpones, cancels major national exams

SHAH ALAM, April 15 — The Federal government has postponed several major examinations for secondary school students and cancelled another two national assessments due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) are postponed to the first quarter of 2021.

“For STPM candidates, the second-semester examination will be held in August, while the third-semester examination will be brought forward to the first quarter of 2021,” he said in an address broadcasted live today.

Mohd Radzi said the rescheduling of the examinations has pushed forward the dates for the intakes into higher learning institutions.

He said the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry have agreed to postpone the intake for foundation courses, matriculation and diploma to July or August 2021, while intake for degree programmes are postponed to September or October next year.

Meanwhile, Mohd Radzi said the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Form Three Assessment (PT3) examinations for the year have been cancelled.

“The ministry will introduce an alternative method to evaluate students who are supposed to sit for the UPSR and PT3 examinations this year,” he said.

On the reopening of schools, Mohd Radzi said that schools across the country will remain close and an announcement will be made for parents to make the necessary preparations.

“We understand that parents are worried they may not be able to prepare if the government announces the reopening of schools on short notice.

“The ministry will discuss with the Health Ministry when it is best to reopen schools and will make an announcement at least two weeks earlier,” he said.

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