JOHOR BAHRU, October 18 2026, Several religious examinations in Johor will proceed as scheduled despite the state government’s decision to extend school closures due to haze, said Johor State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid.
The Sijil Menengah Agama (SMA) examination will take place from Oct 19 to 23, while the Lughah Arabiah Muasirah (LAM) paper for the Sijil Menengah Rendah Agama (SMRA) examination at Johor State Religious Secondary School in Batu Pahat will be held on Oct 20.
Year-end examinations for Years One to Three pupils at Johor Government Religious Schools will also continue from Oct 19 to 23.
Mohd Fared said the 2026 UPKK Quran oral test for Year Five pupils had been extended until Oct 21. Meanwhile, Quran oral and memorisation tests for pupils in Years One to Five will run until Nov 5.
The arrangements were made by the Examination Board of the Islamic Education Division under the Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAINJ), following the extension of school and educational institution closures for another five days beginning Oct 19.
Examination candidates are required to wear face masks, attend school only on their examination days and leave immediately after completing their papers.
Pupils not sitting for examinations are not required to attend school during the closure period. Home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) will continue at religious schools under JAINJ.
Mohd Fared added that religious institutions under the department would comply with the closure directive, although certain examinations could proceed with the necessary coordination and approval from the relevant authorities.
The state government had initially announced a two-day school closure beginning Oct 8 before extending the closure for another five days from Oct 12.
-BERNAMA
