15 Students Failed their SPM Because They Brought Their Phones into The Examination Hall

15 students from Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS) were marked as failed on their 2021 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) History examination papers because they brought in their mobile phones into the examination hall.

In 2013, it was announced that it is mandatory for students to pass the subject of History, as well as Bahasa Melayu. Failing either or both would result in a student failing the entire examinations altogether. The usage of mobile phones are banned in Malaysians schools, despite numerous petitions to overturn this rule.

However, a Facebook user shed further light into the story, providing details of what allegedly happened on the day of the exams.

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He said that paper two of the History exams had started later and the exam Head Invigilator had started the exams in a disorderly manner, making students rush into the hall. According to the students, the Head Invigilator had failed to make the usual announcement about banned items in the exam hall.

The 15 students in question had forgotten and took their phones into the hall as it has become a habit for them to place their phones into their pockets.

However, after the exam had started, the Head Invigilator made an announcement asking any student who had brought in phones into the hall to hand over their phones with the promise that action would not be taken against them. However, this promise was not kept.

Despite submitting an appeal twice, the Parent-Teacher Association of the school failed to overturn the decision of the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE).

They received a letter from the Examination Director of the Examination Board that after analysing all the evidence regarding the case, they had decided to fail all 15 students and that the decision was final.

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This has resulted in several effects for the students as they will be unable to receive their SPM certs, they must resit for their SPM papers, they will be unable to apply for Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU), receive scholarships or even apply for any university. Apparently all 15 students were students who did well in their exams and some had even received 7A+s.

When asked about the matter, Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said that they would not interfere as it would create havoc in the context of exam implementation.

Netizens have chimed in on the matter online, one saying that they were not even caught cheating, most students simply use their phones to revise:

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This netizen also said in current times, many students use their phones to study:

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Another said that the students should take accountability for their actions:

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What do you think about the decision?

Image source: thestar.com.my