(Kuching, 27th) Sarawak will begin implementing standard assessment tests starting next year, focusing on three main subjects: Mathematics, Science, and English.
This assessment will be conducted by a special committee comprised of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) of Sarawak, Swinburne University, the University of Cambridge, and the Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA), with the support of the Sarawak Education Department.
The Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, stated that the committee will develop and propose implementation strategies for the assessment based on international standards.
“They will prepare exam questions that conform to the Malaysian examination format and the self-assessment currently used in schools.”
He made this statement when interviewed by reporters after chairing the 2024 International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI) today.
Sagah added that the test is important as a mechanism to measure students' early education levels.
“We believe that such a form of assessment is necessary in Sarawak. Without tests, it is difficult to determine the educational level of our children. We cannot wait until Form Five's Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) as it would be too late. The earlier we assess, the easier it is to plan the next steps.”
He added that this assessment could also help parents understand their children's performance and identify suitable future courses or fields.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns with the efforts outlined in the Sarawak Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030) agenda to increase enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to 60%.
He explained that the assessment is expected to have a positive impact on human capital development and ensure that Sarawak continues to produce capable students in the STEM fields.