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The Open Certification System for the Malaysian Education Certificate Examination, SPM. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the open certification (new system for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM). 9 October 1998 | |||||||
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Yesterday, the Education Minister announced the implementation of the open certification system by the year 2000. There are 12 packages consisting of one-major and two-major subject combinations from which students can choose. Patching is allowed: candidates will only need to sit the parts of the Bahasa Malaysia and English papers which they fail in order to get the full certificate. The objective of the new system is to achieve the Science:Arts student ratio of 60:40. We must tread very carefully on this. In the last few years, Dato' Seri Najib mentioned the need for revamping the examination system. The present system does not necessarily pick out students who have potentials. To assess students is always complicated. Examination is only one means. Because of various factors especially politics, Education Minister seems to be stressing how many schools attained 100% passes and how many students have distinctions. As the years go by, this type of preoccupation may wane. We have often debated the examination system in Parliament. We have called for the review of the whole system. Now, Dato' Seri Najib has talked about the | |
new system in the Open Certification Seminar in Kuala Lumpur. We hope he can furnish us with details on how he proposes to implement it. Previously, Education Ministers publicized new systems or policies to highlight their performances. For example, there were the 3M (3R) system, one-session schools and junior colleges. There have been major weaknesses and advantages in the 3M system. The one-session schools and junior colleges have been scraped or they have never got off the ground. They were rhetoric. What the minister announces is one thing. What actually goes on may be another. Dato' Seri Najib has to let us know how he intends to make the new system work. He would need sufficient trained people and workable mechanism to carry out the task. Without these people and mechanism, the new system may be chaotic as seen in the introduction of the 3M system over 20 years ago. Are the 240,000 teachers ready for the open certification? While the Education Minister should be busy sorting out the endless problems of teachers, is he able to bring about a new way? Obviously, there are many questions which have yet to be answered. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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