Malaysian Examinations Syndicate Leaks Like A Sieve

More allegations of leaks in the UPSR examination have surfaced, and probes have been initiated in Kelantan, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.

At least four papers were said to have been “compromised” – Bahasa Malaysia (Composition), Mathematics Paper 2, Science and English.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein has ordered a probe while the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (MES) director Datuk Mohamed Zakaria Mohd Noor also confirmed investigations.

However, Mohamed Zakaria stressed there was no leak.

A teacher in Kota Baru was said to have given “last-minute tuition” for students on Tuesday night for the Science paper. It was alleged that all that the teacher taught came out in the exams the next morning.

In Seremban, several parents called The Star alleging a leak in the Science paper. “My son’s teacher received the questions for section B on his mobile phone from someone. How is this possible?” asked one parent. He said the teacher who initially thought the questions were just another SMS gimmick, shared them with a few students. “The authorities should take stern action against those responsible for the leak,” he said.

A teacher in Bahau said one parent actually asked her for the answers to the subjective section of the Science paper on Tuesday. “He had the questions written on a paper and some sketches to go along with it. At first, I just dismissed it but was shocked to see the same questions in the Science paper,” said the teacher.

Asked if she had reported the matter to the state education authorities, the teacher said she could not as she did not have proof to support her claim. “In fact, many of us know that some of the other examination papers such Bahasa Malaysia and Maths have also been leaked. The questions which appeared were similar,” she said.

One parent who also chose to remain anonymous said he received the “tips” for the Science paper from a teacher in Kuala Lumpur and was shocked when all the so-called “tips” appeared in yesterday’s Science paper.

National Parent-Teacher Associations Collaborative Council president Associate Prof Dr Mohd Ali Hassan said if the allegations were true, it was only fair to the students that they re-sit the examinations. “This is a very serious issue that needs to be investigated and those involved need to be punished,” he said.

He added that he had not received any official report about the leaks.

***** It is indeed astonishing that after decades of overseeing examinations, there is still no end to the leaks in the question papers. It's become a regular affair and no one has yet to pay for the serious lapses. This is one achievement that should and must be included in our Malaysia Book of Records.

What pisses me off is the attitude of the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (MES) director Datuk Mohamed Zakaria Mohd Noor who without any investigations whatsoever has super-speedily stated that "there is no leak!" Naturally he's merely trying to cover his sorry, inefficient behind but he should be ticked off for his rash, premature conclusion. He should also be transferred to another less demanding department to spend the rest of his civil service days.
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