Keep HOTS format, says education group

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) believes the higher order thinking skills (HOTS) component of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) should stay.

Its founding chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, said the new UPSR format should focus on developing pupils’ understanding of concepts, thinking skills, application of knowledge and problem solving.

“These are qualities employers look for. HOTS is not new; it has existed in the syllabus, but never given a name.”

On whether HOTS contributed to the high percentage of failure in the UPSR, she said: “The question is, can teachers guide pupils to tackle HOTS? Or does the problem lie with the pupils? Can they think critically?”

Had parents been following the education transformation, she said, HOTS should come as no surprise, and teachers, too, should have been more open with parents by keeping them informed about the new format.

“Education evolves if we want to be ahead or on a par with the rest of the world.”

A parent disagreed with new format, saying it was distressing for pupils as many were ill-prepared to answer the HOTS questions.

“I pity the pupils and teachers. They only had a few months to adapt to the new format. If they want to change the format, they should have done it earlier,” said Zurin Adzimi, 36.

Parent Fara Zuliana Noh, 39, wants the format to stay as she believed it developed critical thinking skills.

“I believe HOTS can benefit children’s development.”

A total of 4,896 pupils scored straight As in the UPSR this year out of 440,782 who sat the examination.