(From left) Dexter Dunggat Lambert, Jeremy Adison, Lenolina Marie Magges, Siti Nur Farah Qaisarah, Christy Thomas and Jennifer Sharon Edwin.
KUCHING: Generally, Sarawakian students sitting for the 2020 SPM this year just want to get the examination over and done with, as they fear that another postponement would kill their motivation to prepare for it.
They said they understood the situation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic but were also anxious about their future.
“As a SPM candidate myself, I would prefer SPM not to be delayed any longer because delaying it would affect the candidates as they will not be in a right mindset when the time comes,” said Dexter Dunggat Lambert, a student at SMK Batu Lintang.
Dexter also opined that the government would need to find the best way to hold the examination this year to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Another SPM candidate from SMK Batu Lintang, Jeremy Adison, said he was losing his motivation to study due to the long delay in holding the exam.
“I honestly do not want SPM to be postponed because the motivation to prepare and sit for the exam is not the easiest thing to get for me. I’ve been eager to finish my secondary school studies and I am anxious to know what I have to do for my own future after this,” said Jeremy.
With so much time spent on preparing for the exam, Jeremy also said he had grown tired and he just wanted it to be done away with the soonest.
For Lenolina Marie Magges, she felt frustrated and disappointed when the government announced the new date of the SPM exam recently.
“I know this Covid-19 had hit us hard but to postpone the SPM exam date again to a later date will dampen the enthusiasm and eagerness of any student sitting for the exam,” said Lenolina.
Siti Nur Farah Qaisarah, on the other hand, said that it is unfair for students in her batch if the SPM gets postponed again, because like other students she is getting tired mentally and physically preparing for it.
“The government should find ways for students, such as an alternative for us to finish our studies and move on to the next level in our education. SPM students in our batch have been through a lot,” said Siti Nur Farah.
Much like the others, Christy Thomas also commented that he could just not take it if 2020 SPM is postponed again, saying he does not want to go through the hardship of studying online from home again, if need be.
“Not everyone has a good internet connection to enable them to study and prepare for the exam, which is why I want to sit for the exam as soon as possible and not have to depend on the internet for my revision,” said Christy.
However, there are also those who do not mind that the SPM is postponed again.
Jennifer Sharon Edwin said she would prioritise health over the exam.
“I know that it’s for my future but we all know that a healthy body is equally important.
“I think people should not be prioritising sitting for the exam over their own safety for now,” said Sharon.
Last year, the Education Ministry (MOE) announced that the SPM scheduled to be held in 2020 would be postponed to this year. The 2020 SPM exam was supposed to be held from Nov 16 to Dec 7 last year.