First state-level test in Oct
KUCHING: Year Six pupils in Sarawak will sit for the state's inaugural Ujian Penilaian Dual Language Programme (UPDLP) on Oct 15 and 16, says state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.
He said the UPDLP is a standardised assessment for Year Six and Form Three students taking the dual language programme in Sarawak, covering the three core subjects of Science, Mathematics and English.
'The examination papers for these subjects are developed by our local expert teachers, ensuring they are tailored to the programme's specific needs and context.
'Crucially, all examination papers will also be thoroughly vetted and verified by Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A). This rigorous process guarantees that the assessments meet international standards,' he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak legislative assembly yesterday.
Sagah said Swinburne Innovation Malaysia (SWIM) signed a contract service agreement with CUP&A in Cambridge, England, on April 30 to formalise the international partnership.
'This initiative is a collaborative effort by my ministry, the Education Ministry, the state Education Department, SWIM and our state-owned universities.
'It underscores our commitment to ensuring the standard of education in Sarawak continues to meet global standards,' he added.
On Sarawak's free tertiary education scheme (FTES), Sagah said it would benefit 10,000 eligible Sarawakian students when it starts next year.
He said the scheme, which was approved by the state government in March, is estimated to cost RM300mil in its first year.
'The FTES will first focus on undergraduate degrees in STEM-related fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance and psychology.
'However, other financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships or loans provided by Yayasan Sarawak to cater for any other courses, so nobody is left out,' Sagah said.
To a question by Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan), who sought clarification on why the scheme is not offered for all courses, Sagah said FTES is still in its initial stage.
'We must spend wisely, and we also look at the talents required by the state in the next few years.
'It doesn't mean that now we offer it for these courses and stop at that,' he added.
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