CCTVs will be used to curb UPSR leaks

KUALA LUMPUR: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in all strongrooms used to store examination papers to curb leaks.
Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said this is among the ministry's efforts to tighten the security of information, especially after the recent Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) fiasco.
"The cameras will help ensure the security of examination materials and collect evidence if such incidents occur again," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
In the recent UPSR exam, the English, Science, Mathematics and Tamil language examination papers were leaked and some 470,000 Year Six pupils had to re-sit the papers.
Examinations Syndicate chief Dr Na'imah Ishak and her deputy Dr Wan Ilias Wan Salleh were suspended over the leaks.
"The ministry will not compromise on those responsible for the leaks," Idris said in reply to a question by Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) as to whether the ministry would publicly disclose how the UPSR 2014 questions were leaked.
Idris said the ministry had lodged two police reports for thorough investigations to be carried out immediately into the leaks, and 30 people have been investigated by the police in connection with the case.
"We are confident the authorities will be able to find out how the UPSR questions were leaked or the source of the problem, and take appropriate action based on the existing law," he said.
Idris added that action would be taken against any ministry officers found to have been involved or guilty of violating the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
The ministry had also set up an independent committee headed by former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi to identify the weaknesses and loopholes in the managing and handling of examination papers and to improve security and enhance efficiency of the Examinations Syndicate.
"We are also revamping the placement of officers to strengthen the managing and handling of public examinations," he said, adding that security briefings on this will be held regularly to ensure the integrity of all the parties involved.
Later in PUTRAJAYA, Idris announced that the 2014 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results will be released on March 3 next year.
This is two weeks earlier than the previous years and will give students time to start pre-university courses with their actual SPM results.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police were in the final stages of their investigations into the UPSR leaks.