UPSR examination
UPSR Examinations- trials and tribulations by Cho Suet Sen
A big sigh that the exams is over but hopefully next year the Ministry (Pend Khas) and the Exams Board will improve on what happened this year.
First day of the UPSR, I was very happy to meet up with Tuan Syed who was at the Pioneer Pilot School (SK TTDI 2) to check that things will go on smoothly. He confirmed that there will be One Reader for 2 students. As for the marking of the Papers it will still be done by the normal teachers and not Special Ed teachers. This issue is still under discussion with the Exams Board.
After the 1st day exams (BM and Maths Papers), I asked my son whether the reader read to him. He said, feeling embarrassed for the Reader. “Teacher said her English not good, so asked us to read ourselves”. So he answered “Ok –lah!” What else do you expect our kids to say.
I immediately sms’d to Tuan Syed(Pend Khas) and Basiran (Exams Board) what happened.
2nd day – Maths paper only so I asked my son whether the Reader read to him and he said yes. So I left it at that.
3rd day – Science and English papers. Asked my son whether the Reader read for him and he said yes but she read in Bahasa. I said how to read the English Paper in Bahasa? He said “No, English paper he read himself, but teacher read the Science in Bahasa.” Then I asked about the Maths paper and it was also read in Bahasa.
Looks like it would have been better if there was no Reader at all as the kids have to endure listening to the Reader reading in Bahasa (more stressed up) when they have been taught Science and Maths in English the past 6 years. So this would have confused the kids more. Furthermore, there will be lesser time for them to do their papers.
Informed Tuan Syed and Basiran that the Readers read in Bahasa.
Thankfully, my request for larger print was approved whereby the Test Papers were in A3 size. My son was so shocked to see such a ‘big’ Paper. Never seen them in his life before. He said yes it was easier to read.
The Dyslexia Programme was launched in June 2004, more than 4 years ago. Yet there are still issues that are not settled.
Hopefully, the Pend Khas and Exams Board will have ‘ironed-out’ all the teething problems by the time the first batch sits for their Form 3 exams in 2 years’ time ie. In 2010.
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About
My name is Suet, a happily married lady with a very supportive husband staying in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. We have 2 school-going children.
We have an Indonesian maid who has been with us for 6 years, 2 dogs, birds, chickens, Koi and goldfishes. No more of the punky guinea pigs anymore (All died of old age). Photo below of maid washing figs (moh fah khor) to be made into fig jam. I planted 3 fig trees outside my garden.
We are surrounded by numerous luscious organic plants and trees. More than 20 fruit trees, vegetables and herbal plants are found in my garden.
Photos of fruits & flowers from my garden
In 1998, I volunteered to write the Minutes for one of CETDEM’s 2 days’ Organic Conference. From that meeting, I was ‘initiated’ into the world of organic farming – meeting and chatting with the farmers, retailers, Ministry and MARDI participants. After this conference, I signed up for CETDEM’s 2 days’ weekend organic course at Rimbun Dahan and never looked back.
I believe I am one of the very few organic kitchen gardeners in the city that does her own composting. I have 2 large compost bins (courtesy from my ever supportive husband – his machine crates from Italy) and all my kitchen waste and leaves from my garden and surroundings are used to make the compost. 
On top of using the chicken dung as fertilisers for my plants, I also make my own liquid fertilisers like fish amino acids and fruit and vegetable peelings.
I am a great supporter of the organic movement and will help Ms Tan(well-known as the mother of Organic Farming here) wherever I can in promoting the organic movement.
In 2001, I found out that my son has a learning disorder. STAR published my article titled “Children with reading problems” in March 2003 .
When my article was published, there were so many phone calls for the following 2 weeks that I had to take my phone off the hook for a few hours each day otherwise I would not have any rest. I am glad that my article has created lots of awareness amongst parents on dyslexia as there were not many articles written by parents then.
My son is presently in the Dyslexia Programme which was launched in June 2004. There are currently 30 schools earmarked with this Dyslexia Programme.
I am also the Secretary for my Residents Association and a Volunteer Librarian at a neighbouring temple.
All these activities keep me busy besides having to take care of hubby and the kids, not forgetting the 3 dogs, the birds, chickens and fishes. Then having to shoo away uninvited guests like the squirrels, iguanas, rats, etc…… not forgetting the humans who will conveniently take the fruits of my labour outside my garden. Sigh! that’s life….
Well, at least I am helping to green the earth and reduce waste through my organic ways.
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Recent
- Meeting with Dato’ Lat – 1 Nov 2009
- Fruits of my labour
- Pot of herbs and flowers
- bouquet of organic flowers
- line dancing – Bandar Sunway
- herb and flower basket
- Mien Kum – thai appetizer
- Foo Shearn’s drawings
- Bio dynamic farming (Qi farming)- 20 June 2009
- Singing at Brickfields temple- 28June 2009
- New Subang Centre – 15 April 2009
- Persons with Disablities Act 2008 Forum at Bar Council
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