ABIM Proposes National Diagnostic Assessment At School Level

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) has proposed the implementation of a structured and standardised National Diagnostic Assessment in the national education system, covering the final years of primary school and lower secondary level.

ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the proposed assessment would evaluate the students’ basic literacy skills, including reading, numeracy and science.

He said the data generated would be crucial for targeted and effective educational interventions, as well as for international benchmarking, without placing excessive social and psychological pressure on students and their families.

“ABIM believes that MADANI education calls for a fair, integrity-driven assessment system that is grounded in human dignity.

“We are ready to work with the Ministry of Education as a civil society strategic partner in refining the design, implementation and public communication of a more mature, consistent and values-based national assessment system,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Fahmi also reiterated ABIM’s position in opposing calls to reinstate Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3).

He said reinstating UPSR and PT3 would not resolve various important issues in the education of children and the younger generation, especially as the country is working to strengthen the implementation of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 and the 2027 School Curriculum.

Instead, he proposed that the Classroom-Based Assessment (PBD) be further strengthened, beginning with enhancing the teachers’ competencies as primary implementers on the ground.

“PBD training needs to be structured in a more practical, phased and continuous manner, including aspects such as moderation, evidence sampling and teachers’ professional judgement. Mechanical documentation burdens must be reduced so that PBD can return to its original purpose as a tool to support learning, rather than an administrative burden.

“At the same time, efforts to improve parents’ understanding and awareness of PBD must be intensified to bridge communication gaps and restore public confidence in the education system,” he said.

-- BERNAMA