ALL public examinations for Form 5 and 6 students have been postponed to the first quarter of next year, said Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.

These involve Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia.

He said examinations for Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah for Year 6 pupils and Form Three Assessment (PT3), on the other hand, have been cancelled.

“The cancellations of UPSR and PT3 would not affect the evaluation of pupils. This is because there are other methods to evaluate a pupil’s performance,” he said.

Radzi said UPSR results is one of the criteria used for entry into boarding schools, religious schools, Mara Junior Science College and Maktab Tentera Diraja.

“The ministry will introduce new methods to ensure the focus is not solely on their academic performance.”  

With the cancellation of PT3, Radzi said a new method will similarly be introduced to evaluate Form 3 students.

“This method will be part of the criteria to select students for boarding and technical schools.”

Radzi said semester 2 exams for STPM candidates would be held by August this year with the semester 3 in the first quarter of next year. 

The STAM will also be held in the first quarter of next year, he added. 

“As we realise the postponement of the examination dates would affect student intake in universities, the Education and Higher Education Ministries have agreed to postpone the intake dates for public universities for foundation programmes, matriculation and diploma levels until July or August 2021, while programmes have been postponed to September or October 2021.  

“The Education Ministry will ensure that, in whatever situation, student access to teaching and learning will always be prioritised.”

Radzi said the ministry arrived at the decision following consultations with state executive councillors, state Islamic authorities, state education directors, district education officers, parents teachers associations, private schools, teachers and civil society groups. 

He said the resumption of the current school session will depend on the advice of the Health Ministry and the National Security Council.

“Any changes will be announced from time to time after considering the health and safety of students.”

The Education Ministry said it would make an announcement at least two weeks before the reopening of schools, he said.

“When the schools are reopened, all aspects of safety, cleanliness and methods to curb the spread of the coronavirus will be prioritised,” he said, adding that the ministry has prepared guidelines for school administrations to observe. 

A total of 544,000 teachers and some five million students are affected by the movement-control order, in place since March 18. – April 15, 2020.