KUCHING: Kesatuan Guru Bumiputera Sarawak (KGBS) has urged the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to ensure that any move to reintroduce the Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) or Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) assessment tests is implemented through a more balance, fair and school-friendly mechanism.
Its president Zulkiflee Sebli said KGBS has taken note of the ministry’s statement on efforts to review the need for PT3 and UPSR through the National Education Advisory Council.
“Basically, KGBS supports the government’s decision to conduct this review as it reflects MOE’s openness in reassessing education policies based on current needs and the views of various stakeholders, including parents and the wider community,” he said.
However, Zulkiflee stressed that any study and decision related to the national assessment system must be carried out through comprehensive, transparent and meaningful engagement sessions with teachers’ unions, educators at the school level, parents and other relevant stakeholders.
He said the real experiences and views of teachers in the classroom must form the main basis in shaping the future direction of the country’s assessment system.
According to him, an assessment system is not merely an academic evaluation tool, but one that has a direct impact on teachers’ workload, students’ emotional well-being, as well as teaching and learning approaches in schools.
“As such, this review must comprehensively assess both short-term and long-term impacts, including school readiness, teacher training, student welfare and alignment with the aspirations of holistic education,” he added.
Zulkiflee noted that if proposals to reintroduce PT3 or UPSR are considered, KGBS hopes the implementation mechanism will not repeat the weaknesses of an overly exam-oriented system.
“KGBS remains committed to working together with MOE and all relevant parties to ensure that any education policy formulated truly prioritises students’ interests, teachers’ well-being and the overall quality of national education, particularly in the context of Sarawak,” he said.
