PETALING JAYA, Sept 29 — Parents are pleased with the Education Ministry’s decision to split the UPSR English examination into oral and written tests. 

National Parent Teacher Association Collaborative Council president Prof Madya Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan said the move would be in line with other UPSR language examinations.

“We definitely agree with the move because it enhances the English language,” he said.

“The Malay, Tamil and Chinese examinations are also like that. Emphasis is given to written and oral skills, which is very much needed.”

The ministry’s examinations board director Nawal Salleh said effective next year, students sitting for the public examination would have to take the additional test. 

Mohamad Ali said the only concern he had was the teachers’ preparedness to adapt to the change.

“I would like the ministry to make sure all the systems, like the teachers’ preparedness, assessment methods and infrastructure can accommodate this,” he said.

“Proper training for teachers and sufficient resource materials are needed. Parents and guardians should also understand the system so they can support it better.”

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said a lot had been done to enhance English teachers’ skills in the past few years in line with the decision.

“Teachers have been upscaled and many steps were taken to make sure they are up to par,” she said.

“There will be challenges but this enhancement will be a continuous effort.”

She said the progression would allow better comprehension and understanding of the language.

“We hope this strengthens the command of the English language and that students will be given the option to do Science and Mathematics in English too.”

She also said parents  should be the ones to decide whether the two subjects should be taught in English, not the school administration or the policymakers.

“If parents want students to study the two subjects in English, they should get the support of the ministry to accommodate this wish. It is in line with the Education Act where pupils are educated based on the parents’ decision.”