Ministry to consider adopting SPM security measures for UPSR

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TUMPAT: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin said the government would consider adopting the security measures taken for the Sijil  Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination papers for better managing of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

He said this was to prevent a recurrence of leaking of UPSR questions like what happened this week, forcing the re-sitting of the UPSR English papers on Sept 30 and postponed sitting of the Science papers on the same date.

“The SPM question papers come from the United Kingdom as these are printed there. We shall take cognisance of the experience with SPM,” he said after the nomination of candidates for the Pengkalan Kubor state seat by-election, here, yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the government had a long experience in managing the UPSR but still, there were irresponsible individuals  who had tarnished everything.

“We have been following the SOP (standard operating procedure) but there are those dishonest ones to spoil it. All these we will look at again closely.”

Muhyiddin said the Education Ministry, meanwhile, had taken appropriate action in tackling the issue of the leaked UPSR Science and English papers.

He said the ministry did not at all view the matter lightly and would take the sternest action against those who leaked the examination papers.

“We (ministry) have taken appropriate immediate action on the incident.

“I definitely feel sad about it and we have left it to the relevant authorities to investigate.

“Let the authorities take action while the independent committee we set up will make some proposals to improve managing of the UPSR.”

Muhyiddin said he had asked the Malaysian Examination Board to postpone the sitting of the leaked UPSR (Science and English) papers to Sept 30 and he hoped there would be no more leaks after this.

He said the preliminary investigation had identified the individuals involved in leaking the UPSR question papers.

“I advise the students not to worry and we understand how they feel. I myself am disappointed about this, what more my eldest granddaughter, Suraya, is also sitting for the UPSR,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the girl cried over it and as a grandfather, he advised her to be patient and calm. — Bernama