The Ministry of Education (MOE) is dedicated to enhancing the Secondary School Alternative Assessment (SSAA) to ensure students with special needs receive a high-quality and relevant education for current and future demands. The ministry emphasizes that SSAA, a specific assessment, evaluates the abilities and development potential of these students by tracking capabilities within incapacities. The goal is to certify their skills through the issuance of the Secondary School Alternative Certificate, deviating from the standard Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) or Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM).
The ministry states its ongoing commitment to fortify education for special needs students through accreditation, motivation, and confidence-building. It envisions that special needs students completing their education will possess fundamental skills enabling success in fields aligned with their capabilities, contributing to the development of Malaysia Madani, as highlighted in a ministry statement.
Parents or guardians of special needs students will have the ability to monitor their child's learning development, covering five domains: spirituality and values, functional academics, personal and skill development, interpersonal and life competencies, and career development, according to the ministry. The ministry underscores that implementing the SSAA exemplifies its commitment to ensuring educational equality for all students, aligning with the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025. This initiative reflects efforts to provide optimal education access for every student.
The SSAA is accessible to all special needs students in educational institutions registered with the ministry. Its implementation will continue until all SSAA candidates reach the secondary school stage. The assessment utilizes the Environment-based Assessment Instrument (EBAI) and Alternative Assessment Standards Document, emphasizing the ministry's dedication to inclusive and equitable education, as outlined in the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025.
