ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
This study investigates Malaysian secondary school science teachers’ experiences and challenges in implementing the SPM Practical Test, a recently introduced component of the national science examination. Employing a qualitative case study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six science teachers from four different categories of government secondary schools in Selangor. The analysis revealed that teacher self-efficacy, access to laboratory resources, and the extent of prior professional development significantly shaped the implementation process. Teachers also reported key constraints, including limited laboratory facilities, insufficient student readiness for independent experimentation, and time limitations within the school timetable. These findings highlight the gap between policy aspirations and classroom realities, particularly in the context of fostering practical scientific competencies. This study offers a novel contribution by examining Malaysian secondary science teachers’ lived experiences in implementing the SPM Practical Test, integrating perspectives on self-efficacy, resource readiness, and pedagogical adaptation to inform more contextually grounded assessment reforms.
Abdullah, M. A., & Surat, S. (2019). Disadvantages of STEM applications for rural areas include teaching methods and classroom programming. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(4), 776–785. https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/16676/challenge-and-obstacles-of-stem-education-in-malaysia.pdf
Abdullah, N., Mahmud, N., & Wahid, R. (2023). Equity in science education: Addressing disparities in rural Malaysian classrooms. Asia-Pacific Science Education, 9(1), 44–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41029-023-00115-7
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.
Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Baysal, Y. E., & Mutlu, F. (2021). The effect of professional development programs on teachers' self-efficacy beliefs in science teaching: A meta-analysis study. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 8(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.803403
Belalang, M., & Abd Rahman, N. (2016). Inadequate school facilities for STEM learning and teaching sessions in the classroom. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 6(4), 776–785. https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/16676/challenge-and-obstacles-of-stem-education-in-malaysia.pdf
Birdon, O. (2023). Teacher perceptions on implementing inquiry-based learning approaches in secondary science education. Research Issues in Contemporary Education, 8(1), 1–15. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1402728.pdf
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Chin, C., & Chia, L. (2020). Cultivating thinking in Malaysian science classrooms: Realities and possibilities. Malaysian Journal of Science Education, 16(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.37134/mjse.vol16.1
Denzin, N. K. (1978). The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Fylan, F. (2005). Semi-structured interviewing. In J. Miles & P. Gilbert (Eds.), A handbook of research methods for clinical and health psychology (pp. 65–78). Oxford University Press.
Hashim, N. A., & Yusof, R. (2022). Challenges in laboratory teaching for Malaysian science educators: A comparative study. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 19(2), 205–225. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2022.19.2.9
Ismail, N., & Jusoh, R. (2021). Exploring students’ readiness and confidence in scientific experimentation in Malaysian secondary schools. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 7(3), 112–118. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2021.73.112.118
Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016). Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi?structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954–2965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031
Kamarudin, S., Abdul Latif, N., & Zakaria, S. (2022). Bridging the theory-practice gap: A study on students’ laboratory learning experiences in Malaysian science classrooms. Malaysian Journal of Science Education, 16(2), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.37134/mjse.vol16.2.5.2022
Kelley, T. R., Knowles, J. G., Holland, J. D., & Han, J. (2020). Increasing high school teachers' self-efficacy for integrated STEM instruction through a collaborative community of practice. International Journal of STEM Education, 7, Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00211-w
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025 (Preschool to Post-Secondary Education).
Othman, Z., Ibrahim, N. H., & Salim, S. S. (2024). Teachers’ reflections on implementing science practical work in Malaysian schools: Constraints and opportunities. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 7, 100225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100225
Padrón, E. B., Waxman, H. C., & Acosta, S. (2024). STEM teacher professional development engagement and self-efficacy in diverse school contexts. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-024-10528-5
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
Riduan, M. A., & Othman, Z. S. (2024). Examining challenges and strategies in implementing STEM education in Malaysian secondary schools: Perspectives of teachers and students. Jurnal Intelek, 19(2), 96–106. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/101009/
Sani, S. S. B. (2021). Exploring teachers’ approaches to science practical work in lower secondary schools in Malaysia. Open Access Institutional Repository.
Shanmugam, P., & Yamat, H. (2021). School leadership and science teacher support: Case studies from Malaysian urban and rural contexts. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 53(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2021.1876324
Sivalingam, A. D. (2024). Infrastructure challenges in Malaysian secondary schools: A necessity for progress. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4770066
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage Publications.
Tan, C. L., & Wong, K. Y. (2020). Examining challenges and strategies in implementing STEM education in Malaysian secondary schools: Perspectives of teachers and students. Universiti Teknologi MARA Institutional Repository. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/101009/
Toma, R. B., Yánez-Pérez, I., & Meneses-Villagrá, J. Á. (2024). Measuring self-efficacy beliefs in teaching inquiry-based science and the nature of scientific inquiry. Science & Education, 33(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-024-00553-9
Tondeur, J., Herman, J., De Vries, D., & Scherer, R. (2022). Barriers to technology-supported inquiry-based learning in science classrooms: A global perspective. Computers & Education, 185, 104495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104495
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Zaiful Shah, N. F. A., & Zakaria, Z. (2021). The integration of higher-order thinking skills in science classrooms: Malaysian teachers’ perspectives and practices. HRMAS Journal, 11(2), 54–67.
Zhou, X., Shu, L., Xu, Z., & Padrón, Y. (2023). The effect of professional development on in-service STEM teachers’ self-efficacy: A meta-analysis of experimental studies. International Journal of STEM Education, 10, Article 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00422-x
Rahman, S. M. A., Ghafar, A. L. A., Nazri, N. A. A., Balian, S. R. C., Abdullah, F., Zawawi, S. A., & Ahmad, S. (2025). Exploring the Experiences and Challenges of Science Teachers in Implementing Practical Assessment in Malaysian Secondary Schools. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(4), 630–643.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode