KENINGAU: The State Education Department (JPNS) will ensure that all facilities and logistics at schools that are used as polling centres are in the best condition ahead of the 17th Sabah Election on Nov 29.
Its Director Datuk Haji Raisin Saidin said his department has coordinated with the Election Commission (EC) and school administrators to ensure that polling centres operate smoothly without disrupting the implementation of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination which is taking place simultaneously.
“The JPNS is committed to assisting the EC in ensuring that educational premises selected as polling centres can be fully utilized.
“Although the SPM examination is underway, coordination has been made so that both processes run smoothly,” he told media after officiating the Keningau District Education Inspiration Awards Ceremony at SJKC Yuk Yin here.
According to him, instructions were also issued to the District Education Offices throughout the state to ensure that all schools involved remain in optimal conditions including aspects of cleanliness, security, basic facilities and technical support.
Raisin said monitoring had been initiated earlier to ensure smooth logistics such as the preparation of polling stations, voters’ entry and exit routes, as well as the provision of facilities for election officials.
In addition, he said the JPNS was also taking into account the presence of SPM candidates and ensuring that any operational adjustments did not affect the conduct of the examination or the safety of students.
“Our priority remains the welfare and safety of students, but at the same time schools also continue to play an important role in the country’s democratic process,” he said.
Meanwhile, JPNS has also reactivated Ops Payung to ensure that all 2025 SPM candidates affected by natural disasters can still sit for the examination safely and in an orderly manner.
Raisin said the initiative is an annual preparedness measure ahead of the SPM examination, especially to face the possibility of floods, landslides and extreme weather in interior areas.
“Ops Payung is an approach involving various agencies that will be ready to assist SPM candidates who may be affected by flooded houses or cut off roads. We have identified candidates at risk and provided temporary accommodation in school dormitories,” he said.
According to him, District Education Offices (PPD) throughout Sabah have mapped the locations of affected students to ensure that assistance can be channeled quickly, including providing transportation, shelter and food if needed.
Apart from assisting candidates individually, he said, the JPNS has also prepared a contingency plan to relocate any examination centres identified as being at risk of flooding to alternative locations such as nearby schools, community halls or safer government facilities.
“This measure is important to ensure that examinations can continue without disruption despite sudden changes in weather conditions or road infrastructure,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Raisin hopes that this year’s SPM examination results for Sabah will continue to show improvement in line with the continuous efforts of Sabah Education Department in improving the quality of education and academic achievement throughout the state.
“We want to ensure that access to education is not disrupted no matter what the circumstances are for the future of Sabah’s children,” he added.
