By NUR ASHIKIN LOUIS
KUCHING: The decision to bring forward Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination to either the end of September or early October next year receives positive response from the public here.
Several individuals, including students, interviewed at random here yesterday also agreed with the reasons given by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
SPM examination is normally held in November.
Dr Maszlee, in announcing the decision last Wednesday, said the move was part of the ministry’s plan to introduce flexible examination schedule based on logistics, weather conditions and students’ welfare.
The minister said the new schedule was also to avoid clashing with floods which normally occurred in November.
SPM candidate Nadila Jasmine Zainal, 17, said she totally agrees with the decision, saying the earlier the examination starts, the earlier it will end.
“This also means I could get an early holiday,” she told the New Sarawak Tribune.
According to Nadila, she normally spends about two hours to do revision for her studies.
She believes the one month difference would not have any negative impact on her studies. In fact, she said she was all set to face it when the time comes.
“Of course we are nervous but I make sure to keep my momentum. I believe our teachers are also making an effort in making sure the syllabus is finished so as to be able to concentrating on our weakness. This means we can always come back to the hard chapters,” she said.
Another SPM candidate Hafshah Abdullah, 17, also viewed this matter positively.
For her, pushing SPM forward means that she could spend more time with her family during the year-end as well as getting a part-time job.
She also said that she is prepared to sit for the examination as long as she stays focussed in studying.
“My parents are accepting the rescheduling of the examination. It is of no issue whether it is pushed forward or backward. The only thing that matters is my preparations before I sit for the exam,” she added.
Contrarily, Nur Shahiera Iswandi, 17, is not happy with the decision.
“The rescheduling adds pressure to the stress. It affects the speed of the teaching and learning process, which leaves us little space for a breather,” she said.
Shahiera added, “I am getting nervous as SPM is getting near. The only way to catch up with the fast pace is to stay focussed in class. I do not think we will be able to swallow the whole syllabus properly. But that is what we have to deal with.”
A Samarahan vendor, Nordi, 40, however, feels that an early examination is actually reasonable.
“It is only few weeks earlier. To me, it is not a big deal unless it is pushed four or five months earlier,” said the father to four children.
“To be honest, students are never ready. They can never be ready because sitting for SPM means you have to remember all the things you learnt across the years. Unless you have a brain of a supercomputer, you would still be nervous to answer the papers.”
He believes that the teachers are prepared to make sure the students will go through the syllabus in time.
