Can schools ensure physical distancing for exam takers?

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Exam Takers Allowed to Attend School During MCO Under Strict Physical Distancing Protocols

Exam takers will be permitted to attend school in states currently under the Movement Control Order (MCO), provided that stringent physical distancing protocols are observed. The Ministry of Education is expected to provide further details on the specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing this exception in the near future.
Exception for Examination Candidates

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that students preparing for major examinations, including the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) for the 2020 and 2021 sessions, will be granted an exception to attend school. This allowance is specifically for those in areas designated under the second MCO, which is scheduled to take effect from January 13 to 26.
Implementation of Strict SOPs

While the allowance for exam takers to attend school has been confirmed, it is explicitly conditional on the adherence to strict physical distancing protocols. The Prime Minister indicated that the Ministry of Education would be refining the details of these SOPs shortly. This suggests that measures will be put in place to manage student presence and interaction within the school environment.
Context of Previous MCO and Online Learning Challenges

This decision contrasts with the first MCO implemented from March to May of the previous year, during which all schools were entirely closed. That period raised significant concerns among parents regarding the impact of missed education on their children. Furthermore, studies indicated that poorer households faced greater disadvantages in online learning compared to their more affluent counterparts, who had better access to essential equipment like laptops and computers. The Ministry of Education had previously been compelled to postpone the 2020 SPM examinations.
Rationale for the Second MCO

The announcement of the second MCO follows a recent surge in daily Covid-19 cases, prompting the Prime Minister to implement tighter restrictions. The primary objective of this MCO is to prevent the country's healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. The Prime Minister highlighted that 15 major public hospitals were already operating at their limits due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. The MCO will affect five states and one federal territory, while six other states will operate under a conditional MCO. Travel restrictions will be imposed across all states, with only essential economic sectors permitted to function in MCO-designated areas.

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Can schools ensure physical distancing for exam takers?

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