The Education Ministry’s move to scrap examinations for primary students in Year One to Three will be done in a “comprehensive” way to encourage “fun learning” while not burdening teaching staff.

“What we want to introduce is not something new. It was suggested back in 2011 but there was no political will (to implement it) at the time.

“This time around, we want to introduce a more comprehensive model that will not burden teachers or students.

“We want to make education something enjoyable - fun learning,” Education Minister Maszlee Malik told reporters when met at Parliament's lobby today.

He said this was in line with his oft-mentioned goal of wanting to release teachers from the burden of administrative work.

“We want to return to the original role of teachers which is to educate students alongside parents to create successful students.

“Teachers will be given training from time to time but what is important is we want to make schools a happy place for both parties (teachers and students),” Maszlee said.

When pressed on how the move, slated to come into effect next year, will be implemented, Maszlee promised details would be available soon.

“We will make an official statement (soon) as I see many positive responses from parents, teachers, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) and many other parties.

“They have received it positively but what they want is the elaboration,” he said.

Looking into lawsuit

On another matter, the minister said he was in communication with the Sabah Education Department over a lawsuit filed by a student against her former English teacher for not coming to class to teach for seven months.

“I am still in discussion with the Sabah Education Department and we are looking into the issue. The department will issue a statement about it,” he told the media.

When pressed on what consequences the teacher could potentially face if the allegation proved true, Maszlee declined to elaborate except to say he was awaiting a full report.

“I am awaiting a report from them (the department),” he said.

It was reported that former student Nafirah Siman had sued the teacher involved for failing to ensure she was taught the language and for violating her constitutional right of access to education.

She claimed that he had failed to turn up to teach her English when she was in Form Four from February 2015 until October 2015 except for one week when the Education Ministry and state Education Department officials visited the school, located in Kota Belud, Sabah.

Two individuals claiming to be Jainal’s former students have also made similar claims against him on social media.

Despite multiple complaints, Nafirah claimed that the authorities - the Education Ministry, the state Education Department and the school’s head teacher had failed to take action then.