PUTRAJAYA: The Year 4 Learning Matrix 2026, scheduled to be held from Oct 6 to 8, will be used to identify pupils' learning needs and facilitate early intervention, and not to compare achievements between pupils or schools, according to the Education Ministry's Examinations Board (EB).
EB director Ab Aziz Mamat said the assessment would be implemented based on the concept of assessment for learning, enabling teachers, schools and parents to identify pupils' mastery levels and learning gaps before they progress to secondary education.
"When we assess a pupil in Year 4, we have the opportunity and space to assist them when they enter Year 5 and subsequently Year 6. The data obtained can be used by schools to plan and implement appropriate interventions for pupils who require additional support," he told Bernama.
He said the results would serve as a diagnostic tool to help teachers identify pupils' strengths and weaknesses and plan appropriate interventions.
"Our goal is that the results will not be used to compare the achievement of one pupil with another, or one school with another.
"The data obtained is for intervention at the pupil and school levels, not for ranking schools or comparing their performance," he said.
Ab Aziz said the findings would also help the ministry identify learning gaps at the national level and evaluate the effectiveness of the education ecosystem to support evidence-based policymaking.
He said the assessment could help detect learning gaps at an early stage, including between urban and rural schools or within specific localities, while ensuring pupils receive support according to their needs and potential.
"If a pupil is identified as requiring more comprehensive intervention, the school and teachers must ensure the weaknesses are addressed before the pupil enters secondary school," he said.
Ab Aziz said the Year 4 Learning Matrix was introduced after the ministry considered feedback from teachers, parents and other stakeholders on the need for a standardised mechanism to assess pupils' mastery levels.
He said the ministry had also taken note of concerns regarding pupils' readiness upon entering secondary school, including instances where primary and secondary school educators blamed one another for learning deficiencies.
"We ultimately decided not to reinstate the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) or Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3). Instead, our focus is on developing the competencies of every pupil within the education system.
"That is why, through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035, we are introducing the Year 4 and Form 3 Learning Matrix to address past weaknesses and better prepare future generations for increasingly complex global challenges," he said. - Bernama
