‘New format introduced hastily’

KUALA LUMPUR: Parents yesterday acknowledged the benefit of getting pupils to be more analytical and creative through examination questions requiring higher order thinking skills (HOTS), but said the implementation of the new UPSR format was too “rushed”.

SK Sri Maulana, Pekan teacher, Mohd Roslaidy Mohamad, 29, said pupils from rural areas were facing difficulties adapting to the new format.

“Rural pupils need more time to adapt to the format.”

For the English language subject, he said, his pupils were not used to the new format.

“The changes took place drastically, and it is hard for pupils and teachers to familiarise themselves with it,” he said.

Parent Noor Hayati Mohd Surani, 48, said her daughter was frustrated over her UPSR results.

“Although, my daughter did not aim for straight As, she is disappointed with the implementation of the new format. She could have done better if she was given more time to prepare,” Hayati said.

She said the new format helped pupils to think critically and creatively. “The old format only taught pupils to memories facts, but the new one spurs them to think outside the box,” she said.

Parents Action Group for Education Malaysia chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the new format was necessary to shape a generation of creative thinkers.