SIBU: A centralised assessment examination for Year 6 pupils is not only meant to evaluate students but also schools.
In stating this, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said through such comprehensive approach, the overall performance of schools can be accessed.
“We’re not saying a school is good or bad, but we can identify which schools need attention.
“Why can’t they excel like other schools? Perhaps it’s a lack of teachers, infrastructure, or parental emphasis on education, or students may have other issues.
“Without such comparisons, how can these schools compete? The assessment is not just for students but also evaluates the school’s ranking,” he said to reporters at Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor’s Hall, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here Saturday (Nov 11).
He was commenting on the Sarawak government move to create its own Year Six assessment system for public schools, similar to the now abolished Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) examination.
Earlier, Dr Annuar represented Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah to officiate at the Smart Innovation Competition and the Kolej Vokasional (KV) Sibu Appreciation and Excellence Awards.
He added that the authority can put focus on a school’s needs if they can identify and assess its performance.
“Personally, I prefer this assessment at the primary level. After Grade 3, there should be an assessment to identify students’ abilities in reading, writing, and other areas.
“This is crucial for Sarawak as it helps address school disparities, especially between rural and urban schools,” he said.
He said with proper assessment, entries to boarding schools such as the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) will not raise questions from the public.
“We have many full boarding schools, MRSM schools, but if assessments are done by one party (without assessment such as UPSR), not openly, many questions may arise.
“Using a standardised assessment for entry into such schools is fairer, clearer, and allows for a more comprehensive evaluation,” he said.
The proposal by the ministry has received a positive response from the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said her ministry will give its input to the Sarawak government regarding the proposal to draft its own assessment system to replace the UPSR for Year Six students in all government schools in the state.
