Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) said schools would have closed for six weeks and it may be unfair to go ahead with the examinations.
“The government can push the exams to next year and universities can allow those who have completed their STPM to apply for entry later next year,” its chairman, Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, said.
Noor Azimah, who is also a national education advisory council member, said even though students have access to online learning, many are without internet connectivity.
“We have to do it properly as SPM and STPM are recognised worldwide,” she told FMT, adding that it may be unfair to give a crash course to these students just so they could sit for their exams on time.
For those sitting for their PT3 (Form 3) examination, Noor Azimah said the education ministry may need to rethink the format.
“They could be tested based on assessment by forgoing a written test. Let them do projects and evaluate them based on that,” she said.
She said several countries, including the United Kingdom, are delaying their examination dates due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Malaysia could also find a solution that best suits the country.
PT3 is normally held in September, and SPM and STPM in the later part in the year.
Noor Azimah also voiced concern for B40 students who may not have access to laptops or internet facilities.
She said the best way is to extend educational hours and programmes over RTM1. At present, there are a few programmes but some are held for only an hour at 9am and another hour at 1pm.
“That is not enough. These programmes are mostly for those sitting for major exams. The others are still left out,” she said, adding that the government could consider broadcasting educational programmes from 8am to noon daily.
“There are a lot of free educational programmes available online produced locally and in the UK that can be used by the television channels,” she said, and the education authorities could work out an arrangement with the producers.
She said the programmes need to be properly scheduled so that students know what they will be learning the next day.
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