Malaysian fire dept flies three indigenous students to school due to flood

A Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department in Johor transported three Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates via an aircraft from the Kampung Orang Asli Punan to SMK Nitar yesterday so they could sit for the examination.

SPM, or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination taken by all fifth-form secondary school students in Malaysia. 

Norfaizal Selamat, Jefzulkiflie Addy, and Christie Maurinissca Clay, all 18, from the Orang Asli Jakun tribe, were taken onboard the AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter, according to Johor Fire and Rescue acting director Mohd Rizal Buang.

He said the three candidates were supposed to take their practical science test on Monday, but it had to be rescheduled because the connecting road to their settlement area was still flooded.

Flood or not, the reality is that it is a continuous struggle for indigenous kids to get to school, most of the time, the route to school is a long and sometimes dangerous one for many of them. 

“However, after consideration, the school agreed to allow the three candidates to sit for their papers today,” he said when contacted, adding that they would stay at the school hostel throughout the examination period.

As of 12pm yesterday, the State Disaster Management Committee reported that there were 1,373 flood victims in Johor, spread across four districts: Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, and Segamat.

According to the Education Ministry, 403,637 candidates will sit for the 2022 SPM examination, which will take place from Jan. 30 to Mar. 15. They will include practical science tests, and speaking, listening, and writing tests.

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