Sarawak Teachers’ Union backs MoE plan to reinstate national examinations

KUCHING (Jan 10): The Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) has expressed full support for the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) proposal to consider reinstating national examinations, citing strong backing from teachers and the need to reduce administrative workloads for effective implementation.

In a statement on Saturday, STU president Kullin Djayang said the reintroduction of examinations should not be viewed negatively, as many teachers believe a structured exam system is vital for students’ academic development and discipline.

A survey conducted by STU in October 2024 revealed that 79.8 per cent of 2,060 respondents supported the return of examinations, while only 20.2 per cent opposed it.

“Examinations remain relevant as an objective measure to place students into appropriate classes and streams, especially during key transitions such as entry into Form 1 and Form 4,” Kullin said.

He added that a certain degree of exam pressure helps students stay focused, disciplined, and motivated academically.

Acknowledging past concerns such as unhealthy competition, Kullin urged policymakers to implement measures to manage these issues, leveraging the expertise of psychologists and advisory panels.

He stressed that reinstating examinations does not negate holistic assessment approaches, which can coexist with exams if aligned with students’ abilities, interests, and talents.

Kullin also cautioned that easing teachers’ administrative burdens is crucial.

“Teachers must spend more time teaching rather than on clerical tasks, data entry, and activities with minimal educational impact,” he said, calling for a reduction in non-essential competitions, camps, and workshops.

Reforms, he emphasised, should focus on strengthening classroom learning and improving education quality.