Over 470,000 pay price for folly of few

PETALING JAYA: Most parents of 473,000-plus pupils who sat for the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) Science and English papers are fuming over the leaks that have forced the students to face the examination again on Sept 30.

Saiful Bahri Ab Rashid said the Education Ministry must investigate where the leaks occurred and only pupils in the affected schools should have to resit the papers.

“It is ridiculous that everyone has to resit. It is just not right,” he said.

He said the Education Ministry and the Examinations Syndicate must explain what happened and where the papers might have been compromised.

“They must take responsibility and ownership of the issue,” he added.

Saiful Bahri said his son had studied hard and had prepared himself well.

“We had been planning as a family to go on a snorkelling trip after the exam but now this has dampened our spirits,” he said.

SK Bukit Damansara parent-teacher association chairman Nik Faruk Fadzil also said a thorough investigation was needed.

“There is a national public outcry as pupils have to resit their examinations.

“There must also be an overall holistic review on why the leak happened in the first place,” he said.

Nik Faruk questioned whether the problem was some parents’ fixation on their children scoring As, teachers wanting to meet their KPIs and schools wanting to ranked as the best.

“The integrity of our national exams has been affected,” he said.

A school teacher who wanted to be known as Eai Leen said it was unfair that pupils were being punished for something they did not do.

“Having to take the exams again is torture for the pupils and it’s so unfair. Those who leaked the questions should be severely punished,” she said.

Lisa, whose son had been excitedly preparing for a school trip with his friends to China, was now reluctant to go.

“He feels he should stay home and continue with his revision. As we have already paid for the trip, we are encouraging him to go for a break,” she said.

Hannah, who sat for the UPSR, said that it was embarrassing that such an incident happened.

“In Religious Studies and Moral Education, we learn that honesty is a good value. It is shameful that this (leaked papers) happened in a major exam,” she said.

Year Six pupil Aisyah said it was only fair for all to resit the leaked papers.

“Since some might have known what was being tested in English today, I think it’s good that we have to take the exams again as it would be fairer to everyone,” she said.

Hani said she was worried about having to resit the papers.

“Normally, the second time around will be tougher,” she added.

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