Upcoming SPM exams need clear SOP early - educator

 

The government has been urged to release a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) ahead of time before the Malaysian Education Certificate (SPM) 2020 examinations begin.

Brickfields Asia College managing director Raja Singham said many are concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on those involved in the examinations.

"The Education Ministry deserves praise for doing its best in the face of an unprecedented pandemic but there is a need to have very clear SOPs and contingency plans to deal with public examinations in these challenging circumstances.

"The Education Ministry will have to release SOPs early, so it does not confuse or burden parents, students, and teachers further. For example, what is the process if a student or staff in an exam centre tests positive?" he questioned in a statement today.

He said he is confident the government will ensure compliance with SOPs during the physical examinations which commence on Feb 22, but he also hoped there will be plans to ensure that education is not disrupted further.

He suggested having additional exam sittings or using automatically generated multiple-choice assessment which is used for professional certificates.

There could also be "virtual proctoring" which allows for web-based examinations to be monitored using facial recognition through a webcam, he suggested.

This could also be an opportunity to help disadvantaged students by providing them with access to electronic devices and the internet for the exams, he said.

"Ministries like the Education Ministry, Communications and Multimedia Ministry and government agencies like Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (Mdec), telcos, and NGOs should look at the long-term benefits both to the nation and to their businesses and step forward to help," Raja said.

Not only should there be greater innovation in holding the examinations, but there should also be fairness and empathy in assessments this year, he said.

"The assessment of this cohort of students should take into account the lack of classes for most of the year (such as) issued faced in attending online classes, including lack of devices and internet access, preparedness of teachers to teach online, isolation, depression, and mental health issues - any or all of which may affect these exam candidates adversely," he said.

While examinations are not the most important thing in life nor the best indicator of how well a student will perform in life, Raja said it is currently hindering these students from progressing in their education and careers.

"We need to offer solutions and targeted help to those in need instead of just complaining and saying it is impossible.

"We can only do it by everyone working together. We know what needs to be done but cannot do it on our own. We need to work together," Raja said. - Mkini