Steps to curb exam leaks spot on, but must be well executed, says lobbyist

At least four UPSR examination papers were leaked last year, affecting some half a million Year Six pupils who were forced to retake the papers. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 24, 2015. 

Efforts to curb exam leaks would be reduced to nothing if those dealing with the papers continue abusing their roles, an education lobbyist said about an independent panel’s 15-point proposal to address the problem.

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) praised the Independent Committee to Review Public Examinations in Malaysia's proposal, but said the onus was on its implementers.

"The panel appears to have nailed it.

"(But) in the end no matter how secure the system is, it is all back to the integrity of the adults in ensuring pupils are protected from any abuse," PAGE chair Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim told The Malaysian Insider today.

The committee today proposed 15 measures to the Education Ministry, including introducing a barcode system at examination centres and installing closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in rooms where examination papers are kept.

The committee also recommended that the Examination Board set up an "item bank" – a central database of exam-question components – to make sure that questions are of good quality and have an efficient system of reference.

The independent committee was set up in September last year after leaks were discovered in at least four UPSR examination papers, affecting some half a million Year Six pupils who were forced to retake the papers.

The objective of the committee was to improve operating procedures when conducting national examinations and to study ways to enhance the integrity of examination syndicate officers to ensure they continue to be respected.

The UPSR examination was held between September 9 and 11. Due to the leaks, pupils were told to retake the science, mathematics and English and Tamil language papers.

Pupils sat for the science and the English papers on September 30, and the mathematics and Tamil language papers on October 9.

Azimah (pic, right) was among those who criticised the ministry and the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate for the leaks and urged them to review the processes regarding the papers.

She said the conditions by the examinations syndicate to define what constituted a leak were too stringent and narrow, leading to more leakage.

One of the 15 recommendations by the independent committee is reviewing the definition of leaked exam papers to include all forms of draft and media.

She also said today it was important that the recommendations were implemented and monitored well by the ministry.

"Schools were previously encouraged to have CCTVs and many raised funds to do so. But many of them are now in disrepair.

"Maintenance is key. It is also about implementation and monitoring of the recommendations," she added.

The vocal activist also said those found guilty of abusing the system or were involved in leaks of examination papers should be punished.

"Perpetrators must be dealt with accordingly. Transfers and suspensions are inadequate."

Following the UPSR leaks, police recorded statements from eight officers from the syndicate, 19 teachers, an officer from the education ministry, a journalist and an engineer.

In the process, 14 people were detained but later freed on police bail. Four teachers were later charged with leaking the papers.

- TMI