SPM 2016 results postponement should not become an issue - Khairil

The decision by the Education Ministry to postpone the announcement of the 2016 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results to should not be questioned by any quarters.

Its deputy director-general (Education Development and Policy) Datuk Seri Khairil Awang said all parties should instead appreciate the ministry's effort in maintaining integrity and observing the standard operating procedures.

"What is important is not the date, but the integrity of the results," he told reporters after launching three books at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) building here today.

Also present was DBP director-general Datuk Abdul Adzis Abas.

Khairil said this when asked on a circular on social media, purportedly from the Examinations Syndicate, saying that the 2016 SPM results will be released on March 16 instead of March 2 as originally planned.

The circular had gone viral as the reason cited for the postponement was the lack of funds to repair the optical mark reader (OMR) processing machine which is used to tabulate the results.

The alleged circular carried the signature of its director Datin Nawal Salleh

In another development, Khairil said the ministry might take action against any quarters found using the ministry logo on their publications without approval. -- BERNAMA