Government may reduce weight of exams
January 25, 2006
The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Public examinations like the PMR, SPM and STPM are here to stay but the Education Ministry wants to de-emphasise their importance. 

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the ministry would be taking measures towards this goal to be achieved by the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-15). 

The importance of exams would be balanced by an emphasis on sports and other co-curriculum activities, he added without providing details.  

“This is in line with our aim to provide students with a more holistic and well-rounded education,” he said. 

However, before any decision is made, the Ministry will seek the views of parents.  

“If exams are to be made the sole yardstick of success, things will never change,” Hishammuddin told reporters after receiving Brunei Education Minister Pehin Datuk Abdul Rahman Taib at his office yesterday. 

The ministry would ensure that there were enough trained personnel, including Physical Education teachers as well as co-curriculum coordinators in schools. 

Last year, Hishammuddin announced that funding for co-curriculum activities would increase from RM2.60 per student to RM10 (primary) and RM12 (secondary). 

It was announced too that from the coming university academic year, students would be chosen based on their participation in co-curriculum activities (10%) as well as their academic grades (90%) for entry into public institutions of higher learning. This was later extended for entry into boarding schools, technical schools and teacher training programmes. 

On another matter, Hishammuddin said the ministry was studying the need for two additional sports schools under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/1/25/nation/13207109&sec=nation