PETALING JAYA, Nov 18 — Shortcomings in the country’s education system are to blame for the poor showing in the English subject for this year’s UPSR examination, according to lecturers.

Retired English lecturer Sanderasegeran Ayavoo said there was no lack of enthusiasm on the part of students during his service.

"Having dealt with primary, secondary and higher education students, I never noticed any lack of enthusiasm on their part,” he said.

"Rather a system that allowed teachers to be teachers simply for the lack of ability in any other profession has caused the demise we see today.”

Explaining the possible impact a change in the assessment module for the UPSR examination in April, Sanderasegaran said it was no excuse.

He said even a decade ago students from the last classes would still be able to speak, write and comprehend the language.

"I would disagree that a change of assessment methods would have such a dramatic impact on the results this year,” he said.

"If the teachers had a firm grasp of the language and had the ability to impart that understanding to their students there would be no issues.”

Chan Shern Li, an English lecturer with a private college, said teachers should take a practical approach and demonstrate how students could use English in their daily life.

"It does not have to be your first language, but teachers need to show students how they can apply the language in their daily lives,” he said.

"They need to learn to practise and converse in English, not study it for the sake of passing an exam. Short of this there will be no positive changes.”

Chan also said those joining the workforce as teachers needed to be handpicked for suitability for the profession

"People need to drop the idea that teaching is a dead end job but that it is a vital component in developing human capital,” he said.

"If you do not have the heart for it perhaps a different career path would be more suitable. Stop adding to the problem.”

Malacca Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin suggested lowering the grading threshold for next year’s candidates.

He said it was a mistake to implement an abrupt change of assessment and this had been blamed as the reason for the poor showing in English.

"We can salvage the situation by lowering the marks needed for grades and gradually increasing it as students adapt,” he said.

"If an A grade requires 85 marks, it should be lowered to 70 marks. The following year it can be gradually increased to enable the subsequent UPSR candidates to adjust themselves accordingly.”