Wee: This year’s UPSR Chinese paper tougher than last year

KUALA LUMPUR: The UPSR Chinese paper this year was 40% more difficult than last year.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the level of difficulty was based on a trial following complaints by pupils and parents about the paper after the examination early this month.

“Some Form One and Four students took part in the trial.

“Some put the level of difficulty at 20% higher while others put it as high as 40%,” he said, adding that the party also got feedback from Chinese educationists on the paper.

Based on the findings and feedback, MCA, he said, would submit a report to the Education Minister.

“We (MCA and Chinese educationists) are not saying who is wrong or who is right.

“We just want to make sure it will not happen again’” Dr Wee, also the MCA education consultative committee chairman, told reporters after chairing a meeting at Wisma MCA here on Wednesday.

Dr Wee said he and party vice-president Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung would complete the report in two weeks.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with Chinese educationists here yesterday.

MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon, who is also Deputy Education Minister, would then follow up on the matter, said Dr Wee.

Several newspapers had reported that UPSR pupils left the examination hall crying after sitting for their Chinese paper. The examination took place from Sept 8 to 10.

Following a briefing with the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (MES), Chong said that it had promised to make adjustments to the Chinese paper.

In another development, Dr Wee said the formation of Pakatan Harapan – a new Opposition pact – showed the inconsistency of the parties involved.

“In Selangor, they – DAP, PAS and PKR – can still stay together for the sake of remaining to be the state government.

“On the other hand, DAP has openly ‘divorced’ PAS and become a partner with Amanah (a PAS splinter group) and PKR in the new pact which they named Pakatan Harapan,” he said.