Today saw yet another train delay, this time along the Downtown lines, as well as the North South lines.

Both SBST and SMRT put up their notices about Downtown Line (DTL) and NSL at about the same time, before 6.30am. Train services on the NSL were unavailable between Marina South Pier and Sembawang.

[NSL]UPDATE:Pls add 45mins train travel time between #MarinaSouthPier & #Sembawang,due to a signalling system fault.Train svc is available.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 17, 2017

Among those affected were students rushing to school for their PSLE oral examinations.

Here are some of them queueing for an excuse slip from MRT.

Which provoked some important questions on Channel News Asia's Facebook page.

And they are absolutely right. It seems unneccessarily stressful for children taking exams who are already late, to then queue up for a permission slip that could be replaced with a quick glance at social media.

Thankfully, MOE stepped in.

Here's their post.

In case you can't read it.

To all P6 students taking the oral exam today: If you've been delayed on the way to school this morning, please don't worry. The PSLE oral exam is on schedule but arrangements will be made for those who arrive late. You need not pick up any excuse letter at the MRT station. Just let your school know. If necessary, you will be able to take the exam at a later time.

Although there were some, who rightfully noted that there could be more done to spread this news earlier.

Especially for students who were taking the 7.15am exams.

In fact the response seemed to have come after both sessions of the oral examination was over.

We hope the children weren't too affected by the delays.