IPOH: The decision to do away with the Form Three Assessment (PT3) and implement the school-based assessment (PBS) is meant to help a student's growth, says Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

       He said PBS was nothing new, having been introduced about 10 years ago.

       "We do not want our children to just focus on schoolwork.

       "A lot of other developed countries are enabling their children to develop skills," he said after launching the Barisan Nasional Ipoh Barat MCA Coordinator Centre at Jalan Sultan Yussof here on Sunday (June 12).

       "Some students are good in academic matters, while some are good in writing, photography, innovation and agriculture," he said, adding that skills development would make learning more fun.

       "We also need to focus on other important aspects like their wellbeing, character and identity," he said.

       "The abolishment of the PT3 was also done according to the times," he added.

       National Union of the Teaching Profession of Malaysia (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang had reportedly stated its concern over the implementation of PBS that could lead to elements of bias, favouritism and fraud.

       The evaluation of students under PBS would include classroom-based (PBD), physical, sports, co-curricular and psychometric assessments.

       Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin had announced on June 2 that PT3 examinations would be done away with from this year.

       Dr Mah said the Ministry would hold more sessions to explain the reason for doing away with PT3 to stakeholders, including teachers and parents.

       "I am aware of the concerns and it is important that we continue to explain to the people so that they understand our purpose of taking this step.

       "We hope everyone will work with us, especially the teachers and parents, so that it can be implemented smoothly," he said.