MOE should consult teachers unions on PBS, says KGBS

SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is urging the Education Ministry (MOE) to involve teachers unions in gathering feedback on the proposal to implement the School-Based Assessment (PBS) system to replace the existing Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR).

KGBS reasoned that teachers unions are the representatives of teachers, who are directly involved in implementing the alternative assessment should UPSR be abolished later on.

“KGBS congratulates MOE in its efforts to meet up with ParentTeachers Associations (PTAs) to gather relevant information on the proposal to replace UPSR (with alternative assessment).

“However, in their quest to hold meetings and discussions with various PTAs, KGBS urges that teachers unions should not be sidelined in any decision on the proposed replacement for the UPSR.

“Even though MOE has approached PTA, the main pulse in the ministry are teachers, who need to be jointly involved through existing teacher unions,” KGBS president Ahmad Malie told thesundaypost yesterday.

He was reacting to Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid’s recent statement that the Education Ministry would be gathering feedback on the proposal to implement the PBS system to replace the existing UPSR by next year.

Mahdzir reportedly said the implementation of PBS would mean the abolition of UPSR and PBS assessments would be based on three factors, namely, academic performance, sports and co-curricular and psychometrics, similar to the Form Three Assessment.

Mahdzir Khalid was further reported as saying the ministry would meet up with PTA beginning next year and hoped to collect the feedback within the next six months.

The minister was quoted as telling reporters this after launching a ‘Back-toSchool’ programme for the ParitSulong constituency at MaktabRendahSains Mara Batu Pahat recently.