99% of SPM candidates attended oral tests, says education minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite severe flooding in several states, education minister Fadhlina Sidek says 99% of candidates attended their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Bahasa Melayu oral tests, as of today.

Addressing persistent concerns from some MPs about not postponing the exams, Fadhlina said the high attendance rate reflects the success of coordinated efforts by schools and agencies under the Ops Payung initiative.

These efforts, she said, ensured that students were physically and mentally fit to sit for the oral tests.

“The remaining 1% will sit for their exams either tomorrow, the day after, or by Dec 5 to ensure exams are completed.

“We will follow up to ensure they can attend,” she said while wrapping up her ministry’s 2025 budget debate at the committee level in Parliament today.

Fadhlina also said only one school, SMK Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, required rescheduling, with students given the option to take the test today or tomorrow.

The SPM Bahasa Melayu oral tests, running from Dec 2 to 5, has continued as planned, even though flooding has significantly affected the northern states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

Over 5,000 students from affected regions were relocated to alternative centres equipped with the necessary facilities to ensure their comfort and focus during this critical period.

Fadhlina also told the Dewan Rakyat that the decision to proceed with the exams was made collectively after extensive consultations and risk assessments.

“We proceeded with the decision, considering that only 1% of the candidates were affected by the floods,” she said.