GENTING HIGHLANDS: The Education Ministry is reviewing its standard operating procedure (SOP) in handling national examination papers to safeguard the integrity of the country’s education system and teaching profession, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The deputy prime minister said the ministry would be announcing several new measures soon and would welcome input from the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).
“After chairing a meeting (this morning in Putrajaya), we will be announcing the new steps soon. There were a lot of things discussed, I will not be revealing all the details for now,” he said at the launch of the four-day 20th NUTP Tri-Annual Delegates Conference, which ends tomorrow, here yesterday.
Present were Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad, director-general Datuk Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof and NUTP secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng.
Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said among the issues discussed were steps to be taken to strengthen the education and public examination system.
“The meeting also discussed new initiatives to safeguard the integrity of the ministry and Malaysian Examination Board.
“We also welcome consultation and input from the NUTP in sharing their experience for the betterment of the education system.”
He said the leakage in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) Science and English papers had brought shame to the country as Malaysia was considered to have one of the best education systems in the world.
Muhyiddin said that people should not feel pressured to adopt the culture of seeking leaked question papers during examination periods.
He also expressed his appreciation to NUTP, as a strong teachers union would be an asset to the development of education.
In Putrajaya, Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the independent committee to review the SOPs would have at least nine members, with their names to be announced soon.
“There could still be one or two changes in the list (of names).
“I will announce it soon, most probably on Wednesday,” he said after a three-hour special meeting, which started at 11.45am, to scrutinise and improve SOPs in handling national examination papers yesterday.
The meeting was chaired by Muhyiddin. Also present were Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, Deputy Education Minister II P. Kamalanathan and senior ministry officials.
Idris said the committee would look into the existing SOPs thoroughly and make the necessary recommendations to improve them.
He also stressed that Muhyiddin was disappointed by what had happened as the leaks had forced the postponement of the two papers, affecting 473,175 pupils from 8,384 schools nationwide.
“He (Muhyiddin) has apologised to those affected by the leakage and the ministry is determined to ensure that they do not recur.”