for immediate release
Date: 22 June 2010
PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH UPSR AND PMR
Konsensus Bebas does not agree to the proposal by the Minister of Education, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to abolish the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR).
The UPSR public examination is the yardstick to measure the scholastic achievement for year six and PMR for year nine. More than that, the public examinations are the yardstick to measure the effectiveness of teaching/learning in schools of different districts/states and in schools with different socio-economic backgrounds. If the examinations to evaluate scholastic achievements are conducted at the level of individual schools only, there will be no national standard. A UPSR examination result of 5As from a school in the rural area may not have the same value compared to a UPSR examination result of 5As from a school in the urban area.
The rationale that the UPSR and PMR public examinations would encourage an examination-orientated education system is non-deniable. However, the abolition of such public examinations is not the best solution. Only an educational system that emphasises both academic achievements and co-curriculum activities would create a holistic educational policy. Hence, the teacher training programme and the school syllabus should be reviewed.
Konsensus Bebas opines that the education system in Malaysia is subject to the whims and fancies of the Minister of Education. The education system changes every time there is a change in the holder of the said portfolio. Therefore, Konsensus Bebas appeals to the government to formulate a long-term educational system that is consistent and with continuity.
YB DATO' SERI ZAHRAIN MOHAMED HASHIM
Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru
YB WEE CHOO KEONG
Member of Parliament for Wangsa Maju
YB TAN TEE BENG
Member of Parliament for Nibong Tebal
YB ZULKIFLI BIN NOORDIN
Member of Parliament for Kulim Bandar Bharu
YB MOHSIN FADZLI SAMSURI
Member of Parliament for Bagan Serai
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