CONCERNS are mounting over the rising number of Covid-19 cases linked to educational institutions and its effects on the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations scheduled to start in the middle of this month and the beginning of the next.
With daily Covid-19 cases topping the 7,000-mark yesterday, parents are growing concerned over the absence of standard operating procedures (SOP) for the exams, especially given that the oral tests for SPM begin on Tuesday.
The number of education clusters has been going up since schools reopened on Jan 9, with 198 of the 332 active clusters on Thursday linked to the sector. Nine of the 15 clusters reported that day were in educational institutions.
Lisa Chan, whose daughter is taking the SPM, said parents were already stressed out.
"We are sending them to school with a heavy heart. The least the Education Ministry can do is announce the SOP for the exams.
"Parents need to know what they need to do in the wake of these rising clusters. Do we have to test our kids daily or take additional precautions?
"Also, what are the contingency plans if they do get Covid-19? When can they re-sit their examinations, how long do they have to wait for this and will their results be given to them at the same time as other candidates?"
Chan suggested that students who test positive for the virus be allowed to take their examinations in quarantine facilities, such as at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang, which is set to close next week.
Chan said invigilators at these facilities should don personal protective equipment.
When the proposal was made to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Thursday, he said it would be discussed.
Former Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the Education Ministry could prepare the SOP provided it had the Health Ministry's approval and support.
"In the past, there were candidates who took their exams in hospitals after they met with accidents or had other medical or health emergencies.
"But we need at least two days' notice and the facility where it is done has to have the space and amenities. So, this can be adopted for this situation as well," he said.
However, he acknowledged that the current Covid-19 scenario was different.
"The Health Ministry probably has to take the lead here because the Education Ministry would need their guidance and support in carrying out the exams and minimising exposure of infected persons and the transmission of the virus to others," he added.
Alimuddin said testing candidates daily for Covid-19 might not be feasible as B40 families might not be able to afford the home kits.
National Parent-Teacher Association president Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan was quoted as saying that unvaccinated teachers and children should be separated so examinations could be conducted smoothly.
He said even unvaccinated parents should not be allowed near schools to prevent the transmission of the virus. - NST
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