Review grading system for Chinese language subject — senator
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin has called on the Examination Board to review the grading system used for Chinese language subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), as well as be more open to discuss the declining percentage of grade A results of the subject with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Chinese school associations to overcome this issue.
Chin said the disappointing performance in the subject would cause more candidates, especially the Chinese, to be hesitant in taking the Chinese language paper in SPM.
“I am worried that the teaching staff at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) will be affected one day because many students, who do not take Chinese language subject in SPM, are not be eligible to pursue the subject in teacher training institutions.”
Chin said this when debating the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s speech in the Dewan Negara here.
He said the SPM 2015 results showed a drop in the percentage of Grade A for Chinese language subject to 12.4 per cent from 18.3 per cent in 2014.
Chin said the SPM Chinese subject result had delivered a huge blow to schools with excellent track records in producing good results.
For instance, the prestigious Chong Hwa Independent High School only recorded five students who scored A+ in SPM Chinese compared to 43 students in 2014, while the number of students who obtained A dropped to 34 last year compared to 100 in 2014. As for Chinese literature subject, only one student scored A+ in 2015 compared to eight students in the year before.
“It is odd that many candidates, who scored A+ in Bahasa Melayu and English, failed to score A+ for Chinese language which is their mother tongue language.”
Hence, Chin hoped that the Examination Board could explain in detail the issues and problems faced by students to resolve this matter.
At the same time, he said the Examination Board needed to review the grading system for the subject and be open to discuss the issue with NGOs and Chinese school associations.
Chin said the Chinese education system in Malaysia was to be proud of.
“Records show that the standard of Chinese language in this country ranks the fourth place after China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.”
As such, Chin appealed to the Ministry of Education to set up a special committee to identify the reasons for the declining results and come up with solutions to address this issue.
“The performance of Chinese language subject in SPM has been an issue for decades and I hope the government will ultimately find a solution to this problem.”
On the other hand, Chin requested the Education Ministry to provide complete data on the amount of allocation to SJK(C) nationwide, especially Sabah, for the year 2011 to 2016.
“The lack of such data makes it difficult for us to submit proposals to the ministry regarding improvements on education quality and school facilities, particularly those in Sabah.”
Chin also requested information pertaining to annual allocation approved by the government for SJK(C) in Sabah, and the amount of allocation channeled to the schools here.