KUALA LUMPUR – Suggestions that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) trial results be used to replace the actual examination seem inappropriate, said the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).
Explaining the matter, NUTP secretary-general Harry Tan Huat Hock said the SPM trial examination was a method for teachers to identify the abilities and weaknesses of their students before they sit for the actual examination.
He said the standard of the SPM trial examination was not equivalent to the actual exam, which is an assessment in line with international standards.
“The SPM trial examination is not benchmarked against international standards, therefore, it is not fair to use the trial results to replace those of the actual exam.
“Even without the trial exams, teachers have other approaches that can be used as preparation for SPM students throughout this year’s school session before the SPM examination begins,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
He was commenting on suggestions by some parents that the SPM examination be cancelled and the SPM trial results be taken as the final grades.
Yesterday, through its list of frequently asked questions, the Education Ministry said that the last year’s SPM trial examination need not be carried out by schools that have not conducted it, and that it will not affect students’ opportunities to pursue further studies at public higher learning institutions.
Tan said it was important for teachers and SPM students to focus on preparing for the SPM examination, adding that the decision to cancel the trial exams would at least ease the pressure faced by affected candidates in flood-hit and movement control order (MCO) areas.
In Sabah, parents of SPM candidates believe that any decision regarding the SPM, be it postponing the examination dates or using trial examination results as final grades, should be fair to the students.
Unus Limun, 46, a village head of Lokub in Kiulu, said the move to protect students from the spread of Covid-19 is good but it is unfair to use SPM trial results in this way.
“The trial examination is to see our children’s achievements and to improve their weaknesses before sitting for the actual examination,” he told Bernama today.
Runah Bernadus, 45, who works as a nursery assistant in Tawau, disagrees with the suggestion, saying it is unfair for students who hoped to do their best in the actual examination.
“In my opinion, the trial exam should not be an indicator of actual performance because students who get poor results during the trial will be hoping to do better in the actual examination," she said.
On Saturday, the Education Ministry announced that face-to-face school sessions commencing tomorrow for the whole country will only involve students who are supposed to have sat last year for the SPM, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), and Malaysian Vocational Diploma, as well as equivalent international examinations.
The ministry has decided to move the dates for SPM, SVM and STAM to February 22 while the STPM will be held on March 8. – Bernama, January 19, 2021
