KUALA LUMPUR: The atmosphere of the first day of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) examinations for 401,105 students nationwide today went smoothly, said Senior Minister of Education, Datuk Mohd Radzi Jidin.

According to him, the administration of all schools has complied with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in line with the new norms in an environment that the country is still plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Today is the first day of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) in which candidates answer the examination paper Bahasa Melayu (Paper 1).

"SPM this year is very different from previous years," said Mohd Radzi in a post on his personal Facebook.

Mohd Radzi also informed that he, together with the Director of Examinations, Examination Board also visited Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Saujana Impian this morning to have a first hand look at the first day of the SPM examination.

"The situation is orderly and the exam is going smoothly," he added.

Mohd Radzi also wished the best to all students who are sitting for the SPM and SVM 2020 examinations.

The first day of the SPM and SVM across the country began with the examination subject of  Bahasa Melayu (Paper 1) at 8 am, while the afternoon session for Bahasa Melayu (Paper 2).

A total of 3,310 SPM examination centres follow the guidelines and SOPs set by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).