PASIR MAS: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2021 candidates affected by floods can turn up at the examination centres out of their school uniforms, says Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.

       “It is okay for the affected candidates to wear whatever clothes available. In a crisis situation, we cannot be too selective. It is important for the children to be calm when going to the examination centres,” he said.

       Radzi also urged SPM 2021 candidates who were facing difficulties to go to their schools or be present at the examination centres to contact their class teachers, school examination secretaries or principals.

       “They can get information on the current situation and any alternative examination centres which they can attend,” he said, Bernama reported.

       On a separate matter, the Bahasa Melayu and English Language papers of 708 SPM candidates in Kelantan have been postponed to the second session in April as their schools were flooded, said Dr Radzi.

       The seven affected schools in the Pasir Mas district are SMK Rantau Panjang, SMK Gual Periok, SMK Baroh Pial, SM Agama Maahad Muhammadi Rantau Panjang, SMK Meranti, SM Ugama (SMU) AL-Falah Siram and SMU Khairiah Banggol Setol.

       They were scheduled to sit for the two papers today and tomorrow but the tests have been postponed to April on dates yet to be decided, he added.

       “The Ministry of Education has decided that the schools cannot be used as examination centres because the areas are flooded, preventing candidates and examination officials from entering the premises.

       “The schools have contacted the candidates involved, and it is expected that the examination paper on March 7 will proceed as scheduled,” Radzi told a media conference after visiting SMK Agama Lati in Rantau Panjang here yesterday.

       He said the situation in Terengganu was improving and the affected SPM candidates could sit for their papers at alternative examination centres.