The Education Ministry has decided to end physical classes for students sitting for SPM and its vocational equivalent SVM on Feb 9.
According to a circular from the ministry, this is to allow students to make their own preparations for the big exams.
Former education minister Maszlee Malik, however, said that his successor Mohd Radzi Mohd Jidin should come forward and explain the decision to parents.
"I'm confident the Education Ministry has their reasons based on data and the current situation as well as information from the National Security Council and the Health Ministry.
"But the main issue is the explanation from the minister (Radzi) [...] the people want the senior minister to come forward and have a dialogue and answer questions on an open platform," Maszlee told Malaysiakini.
Maszlee, who is also Simpang Renggam MP, said thus far parents and students have only heard from senior officials in the ministry and not the minister himself.
SPM examinations have been postponed twice since last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The current batch of exam-takers is supposed to sit for the end of secondary school exams beginning Feb 22.
They were allowed to attend physical classes starting Jan 20.
Meanwhile, the decision to end physical classes on Feb 9 was panned by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"What is the logic behind the Education Ministry telling kids to attend school for 14 days and then closing (school) 14 days before their exams?" he said on Facebook yesterday.
Najib said the ministry should either delay SPM again by two weeks so classes can resume for two weeks after Chinese New Year or provide online classes for SPM-takers during the two weeks up to Feb 22.
Former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching said the Education Ministry should not use a "one size fits all" approach to ending classes.
"While closing schools (for SPM students) in red zones is almost inevitable, do we need to close schools in green zones?
"An option must be given. For areas where online learning is impossible, there should be an option to have physical class.
"The Education Ministry should stop thinking that they know the best," she said, adding that district education offices would have a better idea of how to meet the needs of students in their respective areas. - Mkini
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