NO PLANS TO DROP UPSR, SAYS MAHDZIR
It will continue as long as it can assess pupils’ performance, says minister
THE Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) is still relevant and will be maintained as long as it can adequately assess pupils’ performance.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said through the UPSR format using the Schoolbased Assessment (PBS) which started last year, students were not only assessed on their academic performance alone.
He said students were also assessed on additional criteria such as Psychometric Assessment and Physical, Sports and Co-curricular Assessment.
“UPSR will continue; we will do so until discussions end with various parties, including parents, academicians and professional groups.
“This is because if we want to make any special decision (stopping the implementation of UPSR), it is not easy; it requires detailed research.
“For now, UPSR will continue until a suitable time,” he said during a visit to oversee the first day of the UPSR exams at SK Seri Gaya here yesterday.
Present were Education secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad, Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof, Sabah Education director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul and the school’s principal, Alhazmi Abdullah.
Mahdzir said the PBS saw assessment was done holistically and in line with the system for secondary school entry, especially to boarding schools.
He requested schools to ensure that the UPSR exams, which will be held until next Monday, ran smoothly.
“We hope no untoward incidents will happen during this period, especially in terms of pupils’ safety and disasters like floods.
“I hope parents and guardians can ensure their children are present at school to take the examination according to schedule.”
Sabah has 44,290 candidates sitting the examination at 1,088 examination centres.
In Kuala Lumpur, the UPSR examination began yesterday for 443,794 candidates nationwide.
The Education Ministry said of the total, 433,536 candidates were from national schools and government-aided schools, while 10,258 candidates were from private schools.
The UPSR will run until Sept 14 and 18.
Up to 8,134 examination centres will cater for the candidates nationwide.
“Candidates are reminded to refer to the examination schedule for test times, as well as instructions and prohibitions, during the examination process.
“The schedule can be downloaded at lp.moe.gov.my,” the ministry said.
Candidates are reminded to bring their MyKads to examination centres to ensure the process runs smoothly.
As many as 51,363 invigilators have been selected to assist in the examination.