No more Paper 3, students to carry out experiments individually

PETALING JAYA: The practical component of science will make a comeback at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations this year, a move made in tandem with the scrapping of Paper 3 (a written test) for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Additional Science.

The move was first proposed in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025 as part of the reforms to strengthen the quality of science education in schools.

Schools were formally notified of this change via a circular issued by the Examinations Syndicate last June.

The circular, signed off by the syndicate’s then director Dr Na’imah Ishak, said the move was to “ensure that all science stream students master science process skills”.

Under this move, students will have to carry out experiments individually based on instructions given, and their marks will be reduced if the invigilator steps in to help them.

Practical science tests were carried out in SPM until 1999, when they were replaced by written tests and continuous school-based practical science assessments (Penilaian Kerja Amali Sains or Peka).

While students were given marks for Peka from Form Four itself, these marks were not factored into their SPM grades.

Although Peka will no longer be carried out for the four subjects, the circular reminded schools to “make sure that practical work for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Additional Science is carried out as per the syllabus”.

A senior Chemistry teacher from the Klang Valley welcomed the change, saying that students needed examinations to motivate them.

“The unfortunate situation is that many students and parents, as well as some teachers, have the mindset that if something is not directly tied in with SPM results, then there is no need to take it seriously.”

Meanwhile, a lab assistant in a secondary school in Johor pointed out that some schools, especially in the more rural areas, still do not have acceptable laboratories.

“The ministry has been asking schools in the past year about the status of their science labs, and whether they have enough equipment.

“They need to make sure that all the schools have enough facilities before implementing this,” he said.

A study by the Examinations Board in 2013 showed almost 30% of schools did not have enough adequately-equipped labs, with 6% not even having proper labs.

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim commended the move.

“Hands-on experiments are part and parcel of science, which is all about investigations and inquiry.

“I hope teachers have been sufficiently trained to carry out assessments as well,” she said.