IPOH, El Sky News – This monsoon season has brought significant challenges to the education sector, particularly for candidates sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 examination. More than 300 students from four schools in Perak were forced to be relocated to new examination centres at the last minute, following flash floods in several parts of the state which rendered their original school premises unsafe.
This drastic decision, made immediately by the Perak State Education Department (JPN), was primarily aimed at ensuring the smooth running of the exams and guaranteeing that no candidate misses their crucial examination papers.
JPN’s Priority: Candidate Safety and SPM Continuit
Perak JPN Director, Datuk Seri Ahmad Ridhwan, confirmed that the relocation was undertaken as part of the fully activated Education Disaster Contingency Plan following rising water levels in several critical districts.
“Candidate safety is our number one priority. When the original examination centres were found to be affected and at high risk of being inundated or the routes to the schools were cut off, we had no choice but to move them to alternative locations that had been identified,” he stated.
The relocation involved the reassignment of candidates from schools situated in low-lying areas in the most affected districts, such as Hilir Perak and Kerian, to nearby schools located on higher, safer ground.
Logistics and Student Support
The relocation process required precise logistical cooperation. The JPN and related agencies, including the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), worked together to provide the necessary transportation and basic facilities.
In addition, counseling and motivational assistance were provided for candidates who were emotionally affected by the stress of the disaster and the sudden change in examination venue. It is acknowledged that the change in location and anxiety over family members potentially affected at home could disrupt the students’ focus.
“We ensured the new environment is conducive and resembles a standard examination room. Invigilating teachers and volunteers were also mobilized to manage the arrival of candidates at the new centres. We want them to only focus on the exam paper in front of them, not on the floods outside,” Datuk Seri Ahmad added.
Other States Heighten Preparedness
The incident in Perak serves as a stern reminder to JPNs in other states, especially those on the East Coast and northern states, to continue streamlining their respective contingency plans ahead of the peak of the monsoon season. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM), has requested all JPNs to be prepared with more backup locations and temporary accommodations should this natural disaster persist into the final phase of the SPM.
The swift action by the Perak JPN in managing the relocation of over 300 candidates has been praised as a responsible move, safeguarding the right of every student to sit for the critical examination in a safe and orderly atmosphere.
