SPM students: Let us back in school

 

PETALING JAYA: Many SPM candidates prefer to be in school to prepare for their examinations, which will start in about two weeks.

They said months of home-based learning and self-study were not enough to keep up with their lessons.

Their pleas came following a circular released by the Education Ministry last week stating that SPM and SVM (Sijil Vokasional Malaysia) 2020 candidates would no longer have face-to-face classes for two weeks starting on Wednesday.

The move was to allow them a short break in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations and also to study before their exams kick off on Feb 22.

An SPM candidate from Semenyih, who only wanted to be known as Adam, said he was grateful for the “study break” but added that they also needed “intensive revision” with their teachers.

“We have already gone through months of self-study, so let us go to school, ” he said.

The 18-year-old said although the number of Covid-19 cases was still high, his school had done a good job enforcing the standard operating procedure.

“It is safe for us to study on school grounds, ” he added.

SMK (P) Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, student Yeoh Cheng Yen said the days for self-study at home were no longer necessary as they needed guidance and motivation from their teachers.

“I find it hard to study by myself.

“Due to the small number of students in class, we can approach and discuss with our teachers directly, ” she said.

Yeoh, 18, said she preferred face-to-face lessons and was looking forward to meeting her teachers after the short Chinese New Year break.

“Most of my classmates are pretty drained from all this.

“We just want this last chapter of our Form Five life to be over with, and be able to see each other and our teachers before the exams, ” she said.

Yeoh’s sentiments were echoed by Durga Selvadorai, who said she was worn out by home-based learning and would prefer to revise with her teachers and classmates.

“Since I didn’t sit for any exams in 2020, I am not that confident about scoring straight As in the upcoming exams, ” she said.

In the Feb 4 circular signed by Education director-general Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, she said schools could conduct additional classes until the exams end if needed.

She said these additional classes would require the permission of parents, guardians and teachers.

“The school must always comply with all SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19, ” she added.

Habibah also said those living in boarding schools and hostels could return home during the Chinese New Year period, though their trip would be bound by the current movement control order.

“Candidates who return to their hostels after the festive period will be isolated for 10 days.

“They will also need to sit for their exams in a special room, ” she said.

Habibah said candidates who did not wish to return to their hostels after the break could sit for their exams at the nearest exam centre.

She also said parents must inform the school by tomorrow if their children were opting for this choice.

Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said students would be yearning for help with the exams just weeks away.

“Time is of the essence now. Surely the students do not need a long break anymore, ” he said.

Mak also pointed out that candidates in boarding schools could remain at their hostels and seek help from their teachers while other candidates would miss out on this. - Star