STUDENTS have expressed disappointment over Putrajaya’s decision to cancel the 2019/2020 Semester II Matriculation Programme Examination (PPSM) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While those interviewed by The Malaysian Insight said they accept the decision, they remain worried about how it will affect their chances when applying to public varsities.

Wildan Firdaus said he is concerned whether he will make the grade to continue studying law at university.

“I am disappointed as our focus has always been PPSM. If this is really happening, our grades will drop drastically,” said the 18-year-old Selangor resident, who feels that his grades in the last semester were not satisfactory.

The decision to scrap PPSM was announced by the Education Ministry on Saturday after the government extended the movement-control order (MCO) to April 28. The order, aimed at stemming the spread of Covid-19, came into force on March 18.

PPSM had been scheduled to begin on March 30, but it was postponed to April 9, and then again to April 27.

Instead of using the PPSM results, said the ministry, students’ “final grade” will be tallied from a combination of their first-semester results and the assessment of their assignments and tests throughout the second semester.

It is understood that the decision affects 25,646 matriculation students across Malaysia.

A science student, who wanted to be known only as Asdeque, said he is “dismayed” by the decision.

The Selangor-based teen said he and other students had worked hard to prepare for the exams, and now, all their efforts have gone to waste.

Shaikh Shafiq Haiqal Shaikh Ahmad from Terengganu said the sudden decision saw students being unable to say goodbye to one another or thank their teachers in person.

Science student Nur Diyanah Sadiyo, however, said the move is the fairest way to evaluate students given the situation.

It gives an advantage to those who scored high marks in assignments and tests in the first semester, said the 19-year-old.

“I think it is quite fair, as there is no other way to evaluate us in these circumstances.

“According to my lecturers, our grades for semester two will be determined by past assignments and practical tests, not trial papers.”

Airil Amira Suhaimi, also 19, said initially, she disagreed with the PPSM cancellation, but has since come to accept it.

“At first, I felt that it was really unfair to have done all that revision only to not have the exams.

“But I understand that we cannot act selfishly, and we must remember that the decision is for the greater good of the people.

“To be honest, I’ve struggled to study at home since the MCO began, and I worry that my exam results will be negatively affected.”

As of 12pm yesterday, Malaysia recorded five new Covid-19 fatalities, bringing the death toll to 82, while the number of infections rose to 4,987. – April 15, 2020.