JOHOR BARU: There will be no changes to the scheduled Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 examinations, which are set to commence on Monday (Jan 8), despite the recent flood crisis in the state.
State Education and Information Committee chairman Norlizah Noh said nine primary schools were converted to temporary flood relief centres in three districts- Mersing, Kluang and Kota Tinggi, to house about 1,000 flood victims.
"Since these relief centres use primary schools, it will not interfere with students in secondary schools who will sit for their SPM examinations on Monday," she said.
The schools functioning as relief centres were in Kota Tinggi, one of the most affected districts due to the Northeast Monson that caused continuous heavy rain, were SJK (C) Kota Tinggi, SK Gembut, SK Laksamana, SK Nam Heng, SK Sungai Telor, and Sekolah Rendah Agama Bersepadu Kota Tinggi.
Two schools in Mersing are SK Tenglu and SK Air Papan, and one in Pasir Gudang involving SK Cahaya Baru.
This coming Monday, 48,276 students are expected to sit for their SPM 2023 examinations, which is scheduled to end on Mac 7.
Norlizah said the 364 examination centres would be handled by 4,205 education department and ministry staff, 900 volunteers, and 112 appointed area supervisors.
For the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) exams, 8,831 students are expected to sit for their examinations between Jan 22 and Feb 6 at 75 examination centres managed by 572 examination facilitators.
The SPM 2023 examinations will kick off with oral exams (spoken and listening tests) for Bahasa Melayu from Jan 8 until 11, followed by English language (Jan 17-23).
SPM candidates will sit for the Bahasa Melayu and English listening tests on Jan 29, while between Jan 30 and Mac 7, students will sit for their written examinations.