Educators critical of PT3

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent Form Three Assessment (PT3) results have triggered intense debate, not just amongst candidates and their parents, but also the nation's educators.
A key point constantly stressed is the PT3's role as an assessment with no bearing on the student's academic performance, as one source reveals.
Speaking on conditional anonymity, the headmaster of a prominent private school in Klang Valley said: "There simply wasn't enough time. We (the teachers) were briefed too late to begin with, plus the format has totally changed," said the decades-old education veteran.
Admitting the need for critical thinkers in Malaysia, the source further affirmed that preparations must begin much earlier.
"Our education system is too exam-oriented. We place importance on results more. This doesn't help to mould students with Higher Order Thinking Skills (KBAT)," he said.
Giving credit to PT3 and the School-Based Assessment method (PBS), he hoped with better understanding it will benefit students in future.
"This is a step in the right direction. Adequate preparation equals better-adjusted candidates. After all the PT3 is only an evaluation with no official standing per se," repeating his belief that critical thinkers is exactly what the education system needs to produce.
Likewise another headmistress is largely in agreement, albeit with certain differences.
Sekolah Sri UCSI in SS13, Subang Jaya headmistress Tan See Miin said: "It's a start, for one. But parents should not consider PT3 to be binding. It is not the same as the PMR examinations. We need to remove all the classroom drilling, and allow the schools more leeway in their teaching methods," adding that if permitted to, KBAT could be inculcated more effectively.
"Like many others, we were provided for very late. That coupled with unfamiliarity meant that the results largely dissatisfies parents."
Stressing that she could only speak for herself, See Miin said the adherence to the national syllabus, with additional knowledge helped.
"For example, history. While we teach from the academic references, we also educate students on world history so they can get the bigger picture."
"Having said that, I would rather have the PMR removed with PT3 altogether if granted greater freedom in teaching methods," she said.
However, National Union of Teaching Profession president Hashim Adnan disagreed about removing the PMR.
"We can't say the PMR is wholly useless. It's helped to produce the country's educated class after all. There's both good and bad in it," he said
On the PT3's efficiency: "The program's still new, thus at present it still remains a highly subjective matter."
Hashim said "This insufficient preparation is in part caused by the MoE's decision to start halfway through the school year. It should commence in Form One itself,"
In response to public dissatisfaction Hashim personally believed the ministry would do well in releasing the PT3's national results.
"They are aware of the pass/failure rates. Announcing it professionally with complete data may help to clear public perception. At present, most of us are left in the dark over the matter. With the statistics in hand we will be able to identify all weaknesses in the assessment program so they can be overcome appropriately."