Centralised Learning Assessments To Improve Pupils’ Performance - Experts

By Puti Iylia Maisarah and Wan Ainun Shafiqah Wan Zain

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The government’s move to introduce learning assessments in primary and secondary schools under the Malaysian Learning Matrix is seen as a pragmatic and timely intervention to strengthen pupils’ learning.

The Year Four Learning Assessment will be implemented this year, while the Form Three Learning Assessment is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (MINDA UKM) deputy director Dr Anuar Ahmad said the centralised assessments conducted by the Examination Board at primary and secondary levels are an effective way to monitor pupils’ progress and evaluate their mastery of basic skills.

“This initiative is recommended because assessment in Year Four allows fundamental competencies such as reading, writing, numeracy, reasoning, and critical thinking to be evaluated early. Once results are obtained, interventions can be implemented in Years Five and Six.

“This provides a two-year window to strengthen pupils’ foundational skills so they are better prepared when transitioning to secondary school,” he told Bernama.

He added that the approach could also address weaknesses in the previous system, which relied heavily on Classroom Assessment (PBD), resulting in some pupils entering Form One without solid foundational skills.

Anuar also described the introduction of centralised assessments at Form Three as an early intervention to help identify pupils’ strengths and aptitudes in choosing suitable streams, whether science, arts, or technical and vocational.

“These assessments allow pupils to receive guidance and support tailored to their academic abilities before they sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination,” he said.

When launching the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Year Four Learning Measurement will cover four core subjects: Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science, while the Form Three Learning Measurement will cover five subjects: Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science and History.

According to Anwar, both assessments will be centrally administered by the Examination Board as part of efforts to build a more comprehensive national education assessment system focused on students’ mastery of learning

Meanwhile, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Siti Sabihah Ghazali, described the move as a progressive approach to improving the national education system more effectively.

“This initiative is a positive step by the government as it aligns with the current state of the education system and addresses global education needs holistically,” she said.

Faculty of Education lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Dr Salleh Amat, also described it as a positive step to ensure long-term education effectiveness, noting that comprehensive stakeholder engagement had been carried out prior to the plan’s announcement.

However, he said the government should provide more detailed information on the aspects that will be measured and assessed through the matrix to ensure that teachers and parents understand its implementation, while avoiding unnecessary stress for teachers and pupils.

“I believe assessment in Year Four and Form Three is appropriate, as it allows early intervention if pupils’ weaknesses are identified.

“During the initial stages, implementation may raise concerns among teachers, but this can be addressed through clear communication and effective support systems,” he said.

-- BERNAMA