Ahmad Malie
SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers’ Union (KGBS) yesterday urged the examination and assessment unit of the Education Ministry to conduct a holistic study on the impact of the proposed scrapping of Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).
KGBS said this should be carried out first before making a move to abolish UPSR or to introduce an alternative mode of assessment.
“This is in addition to the engagement or workshops with teacher unions to ensure action taken later (abolishment of UPSR) is accurate and relevant with the current situation, besides teachers being clear on the changes and whether it can fulfill the needs of students,” its president Ahmad Malie told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Recently, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) supported the proposal by the Education Ministry to abolish UPSR.
Its president Kamarozaman Abd Razak said the decision was made at the union’s council meeting recently.
On Nov 22, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said a decision on whether to abolish UPSR would be made next year.
KGBS saw the need to abolish UPSR and replace it with another assessment if the study showed the scrapping would yield positive result, said Ahmad.
From the relevancy aspect, he said KGBS saw this as a move by the Education Ministry to reduce the pressure of exams among pupils.
“KGBS’ view on the abolishment of UPSR is that it can reduce pressure on pupils and their parents. In this regard, the abolishment is considered a good approach.” But question arose on the alternative type of assessment for Primary 6 pupils, he said.
“The thing is will they enter Form 1 without having been assessed.
“KGBS urge that whatever assessment to replace UPSR should not put pressure on pupils and their parents,” Ahmad said.
He suggested an alternative to UPSR while KGBS called for the assessment to be conducted towards the last week of the school term to keep pupils engaged, as some of them chose to give school a miss after having sat for the assessment.