Operasi Payung: Education Ministry boosts flood prep for SPM candidates, says deputy D-G

KUALA NERUS, Nov 2 — The Education Ministry is stepping up preparations for the North-east Monsoon (MTL) to ensure that Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates in flood-prone areas can sit for their examinations safely and comfortably through Operasi Payung.

Education (School Operations Sector) deputy director-general Datuk Zainal Abas said the annual operation was aimed at helping candidates in flood-affected areas sit for their examinations without disruption.

He said candidates in areas at risk of flooding would be given special arrangements during the written examinations.

“For example, SPM candidates living on islands in Terengganu will be brought to the mainland and accommodated at fully residential schools. This will prevent them from having to cross rough seas during the monsoon season to reach their examination centres.

“It will also provide a safer and more suitable working environment for teachers serving as examination personnel,” he told reporters after the Terafecta Digital Luminaries Awards ceremony organised by the Terengganu State Education Department (JPNT) at Dewan Jubli Perak, Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus here today.

Zainal said the ministry was also coordinating preparations with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), state and district disaster management committees and other relevant agencies to assist areas at risk of flooding.

On schools designated as temporary relief centres (PPS), he said Nadma had allocated more than RM7 million this year to help the ministry improve their facilities.

The allocation covered toilet repairs and school maintenance to ensure the facilities were in good condition to accommodate flood victims.

“Recently, we were also informed that Nadma would provide an additional RM5 million to support the ministry’s post-North-east Monsoon efforts,” he said.

He advised schools, parents and students to remain vigilant and take the necessary safety precautions throughout the monsoon season.

Parents, particularly those living in flood-prone areas, were urged to keep a close watch on their children to prevent accidents.

“Children playing in floodwaters or near drains during floods can put themselves in danger. Parents should therefore pay closer attention to their children’s safety. Health and hygiene must also be prioritised,” he said.

Zainal said the ministry was also ready to deploy its Smart Support Team (SST), comprising counselling teachers, to provide mental health support programmes and activities for primary school pupils.

The Academic Support Team (AST) would also assist students affected by floods, including by providing academic support at temporary relief centres.

“Although the school holidays begin on December 5, these teams can still be deployed to flood relief centres if schools are affected by floods in November, particularly to support examination candidates,” he said.

He expressed hope that preparations and coordination with Nadma, state disaster management committees, the police (PDRM), the Civil Defence Force (APM) and other agencies would proceed smoothly to address any eventuality during the monsoon season.

The 2026 SPM written examinations will be held from November 23 to December 17, while the North-east Monsoon began on October 27 and is expected to continue until March 2027. — Bernama

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瓜拉尼鲁斯，11 月 2 日讯——教育部正在加紧准备应对东北季风 (MTL)，以确保易受洪水侵袭地区的马来西亚教育文凭 (SPM) 考生能够通过“Operasi Payung”行动安全舒适地参加考试。

教育部（学校运营部门）副总监拿督扎伊纳尔·阿巴斯表示，这项年度行动旨在帮助受洪水影响地区的考生顺利参加考试。

他表示，对于易受洪水侵袭地区的考生，将在笔试期间给予特殊安排。

“例如，居住在登嘉楼岛屿上的SPM考生将被带到大陆，并安置在全寄宿学校。这将避免他们在季风季节不得不穿越波涛汹涌的海域前往考场。

“这也将为担任考试人员的教师提供更安全、更合适的工作环境，”他在今天于吉隆坡新镇吉隆坡霹雳禧年礼堂举行的登嘉楼州教育局 (JPNT) 举办的 Terafecta 数字杰出人物奖颁奖典礼后告诉记者。

扎伊纳尔表示，该部还在与国家灾害管理机构（Nadma）、州和地区灾害管理委员会以及其他相关机构协调准备工作，以帮助面临洪水风险的地区。

他表示，对于被指定为临时救济中心（PPS）的学校，国家灾害管理署（Nadma）今年已拨款超过700万令吉，以帮助教育部改善这些学校的设施。

拨款用于厕所维修和学校维护，以确保设施状况良好，能够安置洪水灾民。

“最近，我们还获悉，国家海洋和大气管理局（Nadma）将额外提供 500 万令吉，以支持该部在东北季风过后的工作，”他说。

他建议学校、家长和学生在整个雨季保持警惕，并采取必要的安全预防措施。

家长们，特别是居住在易受洪水侵袭地区的家长们，被敦促密切关注自己的孩子，以防止发生意外。

“洪水期间，儿童在洪水中或排水沟附近玩耍会危及自身安全。因此，家长应更加关注孩子的安全。健康和卫生也必须放在首位。”他说道。

扎伊纳尔表示，教育部也已准备好部署由咨询教师组成的智能支持团队（SST），为小学生提供心理健康支持计划和活动。

学术支持团队（AST）还将为受洪水影响的学生提供帮助，包括在临时救济中心提供学术支持。

他说：“虽然学校假期从12月5日开始，但如果学校在11月受到洪水影响，这些队伍仍然可以部署到救灾中心，特别是为参加考试的考生提供支持。”

他表示希望与国家灾害管理署（Nadma）、各州灾害管理委员会、警察（PDRM）、民防部队（APM）和其他机构的准备和协调工作能够顺利进行，以应对季风季节期间可能发生的任何突发事件。

2026年SPM笔试将于11月23日至12月17日举行，而东北季风已于10月27日开始，预计将持续到2027年3月。——马新社

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