‘Psychometric tests good, assessment vital’
SIBU: Psychometric tests should not be used as the deciding factor for the recruitment of teachers as proven by the recent episode of terminating temporary teachers.
In a press statement yesterday, Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang, who is also DAP Sibu vicechairperson and state DAP director of Women’s Affairs Bureau, said while psychometric tests could not be completely discredited, emphasis should be placed on assessment based on performance and recommendations by the principals of schools from where the temporary teachers came from.
She said during personal interviews, the interviewer could assess the applicants and this should be taken into account instead of going for a test of boxticking (psychometric test).
“It is common sense that job applicants can be better gauged from their performance over a period of time rather than a half hour or an hour’s test of ticking boxes.”
She said it was commendable of the chief minister to intervene promptly in this temporary teacher issue that gave local teachers a second chance to be confirmed in their post.
However, she said the concern and efforts of the chief minister and the state cabinet should not end there.
“They should follow through and demand answers from the Education Ministry on the full criteria concerning the percentage of psychometric test versus personal interviews versus assessments and recommendations from the relevant school principals. Bear in mind the state administration has desired to make its own recruitment from local graduates in the open market.”
“There should be transparency in all the latest requirements by the Ministry of Education so that the applicants have a better chance of getting through the interviews.
She said this should include the ministry extending a guideline on the eligibility of graduates from public and private universities so as to address their anxiety whether their Bachelor of Education courses were relevant in the job market.
“If their courses cannot do that, then the Ministry of Education is answerable to the people for their endorsement of these courses in our universities without fully equipping them for the road ahead.
“We also want answers on the status of the application by the state government for authorisation from the Ministry of Education to employ local graduates as teachers to fill up the 90 per cent quota.
“From the report in The Borneo Post on Jan 27, the application had been made but the state government had not received the reply from the Ministry of Education. The state administration should follow up on this and deliver all promises to fulfil the 90:10 ratio.”
She said the efforts to ensure the best interest of local teachers should not be compromised.