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MCO jitters for SPM students

May 08, 2021
Source:  2021 © New Straits Times

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By Farah Solhi - May 8, 2021 @ 9:00am

KUALA LUMPUR: Uncertainty over when schools will reopen has left students, especially Fifth Formers scheduled to take the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination this year, with a sense of dread.

With schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur closed yet again due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), they are wondering if they will have enough time to prepare for their most important examination to date.

A student from Klang, Ilham Saharuddin, said the school closure because of the MCO had drained his spirit.

"When they announced midlast year that schools would reopen, I was overjoyed. After the lockdown, I felt like things were returning to normal. Then, MCO 2.0 came.

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"I had my hopes up when they announced that schools would reopen again this year. It was my 'it' moment, when I realised I needed to use whatever time I had left to catch up with my studies.

"But with MCO 3.0, I don't know any more. I'm beginning to get a sense of dread.

"I have a feeling that most SPM students are anxious as there's a lot of catching up to do on top of adapting to the new format," he said.

Shuweta Perumal, 17, from Shah Alam, Selangor said she was losing motivation because of the reduced physical interaction in the classroom with friends and teachers.

"Learning the subjects virtually initially went well. But when we got into complicated topics, it became harder to understand and challenging even to stay focused.

"I'm worried, considering we're the new batch with an uncertain examination format.

"I don't think I, or anyone for that matter, am ready for a full-fledged exam after a year of virtual classes without proper guidance," she said.

Shuweta believed it would help if they were given more time to prepare for the SPM.

Lyana Dhamirah Azhar, 17, said studying from home was a roller coaster of emotions.

"One day, I would feel motivated to study, but the next day, I just want to lie in bed all day. Even now, I'm finding it hard to focus. I think all students will appreciate it if more time was given to prepare for the SPM. Honestly, none of us is ready.

"This MCO has really affected my motivation and I believe most students feel the same way.

"It's tough for the SPM students as we have a lot to prepare, a new format to learn, subjects to recap.

"We're tired of online classes. We just want to go back to school."

Schools in Selangor were closed from May 6 until after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

The Education Ministry said all primary and secondary schools nationwide would return to home-based teaching and learning after the Raya holidays.

This would go on for two weeks until the school mid-year break at the end of this month.