Low Pisa ranking led to tougher school syllabus, say teachers

 

The primary school syllabus was changed after the education ministry was upset by the country’s Pisa ranking, says a teacher.

PETALING JAYA: The claim that the primary school syllabus, particularly in mathematics and science, as being very tough is real, according to teachers who spoke to FMT.

The teachers said this was due to Malaysia’s ranking in mathematics, science and reading in the triennial Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa).

Malaysia is ranked 47th and 48th in the evaluations, while Singapore, Japan, South Korea and even Vietnam have been impressive and occupied top slots among the 78 countries assessed consistently.

The education ministry rushed to change the primary school syllabus a few years ago, to make it tougher, as a way to improve the country’s Pisa ranking.

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The education ministry was very upset as it affected the national image. So they decided to change the syllabus a few years ago to make it harder.

“Teachers were asked to attend courses over the last few years to be briefed about the changes. That’s when we were told the move was as a result of the Pisa ranking,” said one teacher.

The teacher said the ministry gradually upgraded the Maths and Science Year 5 syllabus to be used for Year 4, Year 6 became that of Year 5 and the Form 1 syllabus was taught to Year 6 students.

Another teacher said textbooks were also changed and many students struggled to adapt, especially when it also coincided with the pandemic. This impacted the teaching and learning in schools over the last two years.

“Our assessment showed at least four to five students in each class obtaining the lowest bands in each of the subjects, which is not good.”

The teacher said they have given their feedback to their school heads who are supposed to have conveyed it to the state authorities.

“We really hope they do so as the problem is a serious one. It’s the teachers on the ground who are struggling.”

One teacher alleged that there were instances where certain headmasters had even advised teachers to avoid giving students the lowest band in their assessment so that the school would not have to submit a report to the state education department.

Under current practice, the students are given Band 1 to Band 6 in their annual evaluation. Bands 1 and 2 are the lowest, which classify the students as not having acquired the minimum academic requirement in the subjects.

“This is totally unacceptable as it leads to the lowering of standards, which is happening now,” the teacher added.

FMT has reached out to the education ministry for comment. - FMT