Minister denies UPSR Mandarin paper has SPM-level questions

The Education Minister has denied allegations that the 2015 UPSR Mandarin paper contained SPM-level questions, saying it was based on the relevant syllabus. Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said this in a written reply to Oscar Ling (DAP-Sibu) in the Dewan Rakyat today. "The Examinations Board has standardised procedure to determine the selection of text depending on the scope and dimension, socio-cultural suitability and vocabulary," the minister said in reply. He added that as the contents in the text and reference books were limited, extracts from other authentic sources, including those from China could be used, as long as the selection fulfilled the set criteria. Parents of students who sat for the paper in September had complained that the Mandarin comprehension paper was difficult and was set to very high standards. National Union of Teaching Profession secretary-general Datuk Lok Yim Pheng had then said that those who set the questions for the UPSR Chinese language paper should be made answerable. "There have never been reports of the paper being difficult until now. "The UPSR is an exam to evaluate a student's performance after six years of education, and they shouldn't be tortured with difficult papers," she said. Earlier, MCA deputy president, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong had commented that a part of the comprehension test for the UPSR Chinese paper was directly copied from an SPM workbook. He said UPSR examiners had "overestimated" the ability of pupils sitting for the examination by using text meant for SPM takers. The UPSR took place from September 8 to 10. It was reported by several newspapers that UPSR students left the examination hall in tears after sitting for the Chinese paper. – November 24, 2015.