KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry’s decision to scrap the Form Three Assessment (PT3) examination and postpone Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) to next year was met with mixed reactions from secondary school teachers.
Several teachers who spoke to the New Straits Times said they were concerned if the students would be able to cope with the mounting workload when schools resume.
A teacher from Muar, Johor, who wanted to be known only as Hana, said the cancellation of PT3 would mean that students may have to deal with extra workload next year.
“Right after the announcement (of the cancellation), my students started sending dancing emojis to me on WhatsApp. It got me thinking whether they would be bothered with studying at all now.”
She expressed concern if the students were able to focus on their studies now.
“I foresee a drop in the attenddance of online classes and many students may no longer focus on their lessons.
“I understand why the government has to do this and it is a practical move. I just hope there is another way to meet the needs of students.”
Aside from teaching Form 3 students, Hana also teaches Form 4 and Form 5 students.
With the postponement of the SPM, she wondered if her students would take their lessons seriously.
Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said SPM and STPM examinations would be postponed to the first quarter of next year.
“I am not sure if the batch from Form 5 this year will still be around when I teach the new class next year. I am not very clear on this. If this is the case, I am worried that the situation would be burdensome for the students and teachers,” Hana said.
Another teacher from Kuching, Sarawak, echoed her views.
The teacher, who wanted to be known only as MyLye, said the cancellation of PT3 and the postponement of SPM and STPM exams would affect the students’ learning attitude.
She said since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced, resulting in teachers conducting online classes nationwide, the learning momentum had dipped.
With the latest announcement by the ministry, she said, the students would get bored.
“It’s not easy to maintain the learning and teaching momentum.
“With the recent announcement, students could develop a negative learning attitude stemming from them being lethargic.”
MyLye also expressed concerns whether current Form 5 students could enrol for the January and February intake at universities.
An English teacher from Klang, Sofea, who teaches Form 3 students, said the PT3 exams should have been postponed like SPM and STPM, instead of being cancelled.
She said it was important for Form 3 students to understand what it was like to take a major examination before facing SPM in two years.
“But the decision was made based on what the ministry thinks is necessary. These are unprecedented times and we have to adjust accordingly.”
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) believes that the move to cancel this year’s Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) for Year 6 pupils and PT3 is necessary to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
NUTP president Aminuddin Awang said the government’s move to cancel the exams did not mean that students’ academic performance and ability would not be evaluated.
“The cancellation of UPSR and PT3 is not a major problem in determining the outcome and achievements of Form 3 students and Year 6 pupils.
“Previously, primary school students would receive the Primary School Assessment Report (PPSR), which provides information on students’ enrolment at the end of their school session.
“PPSR has four components — classroom evaluation, sports activity and co-curriculum assessment, psychometric assessment and UPSR.”
Aminuddin expressed confidence that the Education Ministry would find effective solutions to the issues involving the education sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.