UPSR Candidates Undergo Health Checks

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- 517,908 Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) candidates today began sitting for their papers but not before they were examined for fever to look out for Influenza A(H1N1) infection.

As a result four candidates who had symptoms of the flu had to sit for the exam in hospital.

They were one each from Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Ampangan Tinggi, Negeri Sembilan; Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Chong Hwa Pusat, Penang; Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Meradong, Sarawak; and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Bandar Segamat, Johor.

The process of fever checks was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin who is also the Education Minister at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara here Tuesday.

"I am satisfied with all steps taken by schools and the parent-teacher associations to ensure the smooth proceeding of the UPSR exam and preventive steps for H1N1," he told reporters when met at the school today.

Observation by Bernama in the federal capital showed everything was normal with no candidates needing to be isolated.

In KELANTAN, 37,531 UPSR pupils underwent temperature checks.

Kelantan education director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Rahman said just a female pupil in Pasir Puteh was found having a high temperature but checks showed she did not have symptoms of the flu and she was allowed to sit for the exam.

In PENANG, one pupil out of 26,510 had to sit for the exam in hospital due to Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

State education director Ibrahim Ahmad said checks for fever were made at all exam centres.

In JOHOR, 63,164 UPSR candidates underwent Influenza A(H1N1) screening and were given masks before being allowed into exam halls.

State education director Sufa'at Tumin said all candidates and invigilators were also asked to wash their hands with hand sanitizer.

Of the 63,164 candidates, 41,008 were from Sekolah Kebangsaan, 19,903 from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina and 2,253 calon from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil.

In KEDAH, 41,226 pupils were tested for Influenza A(H1N1) and given face masks.

State education director Shahidan Abdul Rahman said all candidates would be examined for fever beginning today till Thursday when the exam ends besides being given masks.

565 examination centres have been opened throughout the state involving 3,582 exam officials.

In PAHANG, three UPSR candidates in Kuantan had to sit for their exams in the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for suspicion of having Influenza A (H1N1).

State education director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Latiff said 14 pupils had to take their examination in isolation after registering temperatures of more than 37.8 degrees celsius.

28,226 pupils are taking the UPSR exam at 546 examination centres in the state.

In PERLIS, 4,631 sat for the exam and were watched over by 320 personnel. Four of the pupils had to take the exam in hospital while being treated for conditions not related to H1N1.

In TERENGGANU, one pupil out of 24,345 had to take the exam in hospital when confirmed to be positive for Influenza A (H1N1).

The head of the UPSR evaluation and examination sector of the state education office, Hashim Mohamad Zain, said the pupil of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tok Jiring had to sit for the exam at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.

"Two other pupils positive for the illness and who were quarantined at home were permitted to sit for the exam in separate rooms in their respective schools," he said when contacted.

He said they were students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Cukai, Kemaman and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Baru, Kertih.

He further said that eight pupils suspected to have the flu were also permitted to sit for the exam in special rooms in their schools.

In SABAH, 46,185 pupils sat for the exam at 1,082 centres in the state.

State education office head for the evaluation and examination sector, Md Nor Md Sharif, said concern about the influenza A(H1N1) virus led to all centres being equipped with thermometers and masks.

However, he said no one had to be isolated due to the virus.

In SARAWAK, 46,311 candidates from 1,263 schools sat for the exam under advisement to wear face masks.

State education director Dr Julaihi Bujang said parents were asked to inform school authorities if their children displayed signs of Influenza A (H1N1).

-- BERNAMA