Last November, the Education Ministry in Malaysia announced that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and the International Language Achievement Test (UPBA) will be postponed to the first quarter of 2021.
In an updated schedule, the Malaysia Ministry of Education (MOE) said the SPM examination's schedule is from February 22 to March 25; SVM is from January 20 to February 22; STAM is from February 22 to March 3 and UPBA on February 23, according to New Straits Times.
This came as no surprise as the country saw a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in the last quarter of 2020. The major examinations were initially scheduled for 16 November to 7 December 2020.
In a press conferencing announcing the postponement, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said, “To help the candidates for the public examination in 2020 make adequate preparations before sitting for the examination, the MOE has decided that they will continue school, face-to-face at their respective schools from January 20 next year.”
In a press conference, he also added that MOE hopes that these available spaces will benefit candidates who are affected by the closure of schools. Additionally, the ministry will also reschedule all assessments.
He added that the rescheduling of public examinations will not affect the admission of students to public tertiary level institutions as well as the admission of students to public institutions of higher learning through the UPUOnline system operated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).
Provision provided by MOE applies to private schools and any educational institution registered with the ministry. For those that are not, they are also expected to adhere to these regulations.
Depending on how you see it, these changes can be both good and bad, although they are necessary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. What these changes mean though for some students looking to study abroad is another story. While the postponement of the exams means more time to study and prepare, it also means a delay in the release of results.
This may affect students who are looking to study abroad and require their exam results for application. For students who are affected by the delay and wish to apply for schools or scholarships overseas, do contact our Study Trust consultants who will be able to assist you.