School-Based Assessment: A Case Study of a Lower Secondary Schools Music Education in Malaysia

Abstract

This study took on a qualitative approach and examined the implementation of School- based Assessment (SBA) in a selected Malaysian lower secondary school focussing on music as subject. SBA or more commonly known in Malay as PBS (Pentaksiran Berasaskan Sekolah) was introduced as an alternative to the exam-oriented learning that has been generally practised in public schools for years. In-depth interviews were conducted to various stakeholders such as teachers, school administrators, officers of Examination Syndicate, officers of Education Department in the state and district, parents and students. The data were obtained from participant observation and general observation, before they were analysed using the ATLAS.ti software. This study aims to draw insight into the implementation of SBA and issues related to the implementation of SBA over the previously exam-centric education system. Findings from this research may serve as a reference to various stakeholders as a mean of suggestion for improvement.