JOHOR BARU: Students in the state have already had their lessons disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and should be given the space to focus on their SPM examinations, say parent-teacher groups.

       Agreeing with the Education Ministry’s stance for secondary schools not to be used as polling stations in the Johor election, they said there were other facilities available.

       SMK Permas Jaya parent-teacher association (PTA) president Sheikh Ayub Abdul Rahim said the students’ lessons had already been highly disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and they did not need another matter weighing them down.

       “The students, especially the SPM candidates, should be given the space to concentrate on their studies and preparations for the final examination of their secondary school studies.

       “Surely, there are many other public facilities such as multi-purpose halls that can be used as polling stations for the state election.

       “I am sure politicians know better than to further disrupt our students’ education,” he said in an interview yesterday, adding that his school had about 250 SPM candidates sitting for the examination this year.

       On Sunday, Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said using secondary schools as voting centres would only throw all meticulous preparations done for the SPM examination into disarray.

       He said his ministry was adamant about the decision as this current batch of SPM candidates were the ones whose lessons were the most affected by the pandemic.

       An SMK Infant Jesus Convent PTA spokesman said the school fully supported the ministry’s call as the polling date was only recently fixed for March 12.

       The date, she added, was smack in the middle of the SPM examination between March 2 and 29.

       “The PTA has been working closely with the school to ensure our students, including the 161 SPM candidates, adhere to the ministry’s strict standard operating procedures.

       “Using the school for other programmes will not only disrupt the flow, it will also put our students’ health at risk.

       “We hope that our future generations and their education are given fair consideration since there are still other options (to be used as polling stations) available,” she added.

       The nomination date for the Johor election is Feb 26 while polling day is March 12.