Idris: New system will focus more on teaching aspect

PUTRAJAYA: Details of a more teacher-friendly and improved version of the school-based assessment (PBS) system will be announced on March 29.

Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the new PBS system would be more focused on teaching so that teachers could concentrate on doing their job.

“Many are not aware what the PBS is all about. We have to understand that the PBS is a comprehensive system that not only focuses on exams but also the psychometric elements and emotional, social and intellectual development of the students,” Idris said after meeting former vice-chancellors from local universities at Universiti Islam Malaysia here yesterday.

The PBS system was introduced in primary schools, starting with Year One pupils in 2011 and in secondary schools with Form One students in 2012.

However, teachers had complained that the system increased their workload due to the time they have to spend keying in data to the online PBS application system.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said last month that the system would be reviewed following complaints from teachers who had difficulty accessing the system.

On the haze in the Klang Valley, Idris said school heads should cancel all outdoor activities once the air pollution index level exceeded 200.

The ministry, said Idris, would also investigate reports that syndicates were scamming SPM school leavers by using the logos of the Education Ministry and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency to charge them RM500 for interviews to gain admission into universities.

Earlier, he said the ministry would consider forming a council of former vice-chancellors of local universities to provide check-and-balance on developments in the varsities.

“The former vice-chancellors speak a lot about the soul and character of the universities while their successors now talk more about research and development. The lingo is a bit different,” he said.

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