Malaysia has postponed all public examinations of the year 2020 until February and March next year following recent spike in novel coronavirus cases in the country.
The Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin announced while holding a press conference in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur on November 8.
According to the announcement, three public examinations–Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) will remain postponed until February 22 next year.
The minister told the press briefing that the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) would be held on March 8 next year pending situation regarding the corona pandemic.
All schools under the ministry in the country have also been closed to help the federal government fight and curb the covid-19 chain, said the minister, adding home-based learning will continue.
The Muhyiddin government is introducing afresh Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) set to start from November 9 in all states except for Pahang, Kelantan, Perlis and Sarawak to curb the spread of the virus which has so far infected more than 40k including 286 deaths in the country.
The measure will affect 74 percent schools under the Ministry of Education until at least December 18.
Therefore the decision on the postponement of all public exams and closure of schools are visibly taken in line with the CMCO.
But to provide students enough space before the exams start, the government will resume in-person classes across the country from January 20 next year, says the announcement.
The education minister said that every step taken by the ministry is to ensure that the country’s future generation will receive the best education despite these unprecedented circumstances.
According to the minister, the provisions provided by the ministry also apply to private schools and any educational institution registered with the ministry. Source : Malay Mail Online