James Kon
The Department of Laboratory Services under the Ministry of Health received four stars under the Public Sector Performance Grading Programme (3PSA) yesterday, the first time a government agency has done so since the assessment began in 2014.
At the ceremony in conjunction with the 29th Civil Service Day held yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office, awards were given to civil servants and government departments in recognition of their performance.
The 3PSA, introduced during the 21st Civil Service Day, assesses performances of government departments over three financial years and assigns a star rating.
“We are very happy to receive four stars. We are also very surprised because this is the first time a government agency has received four stars,” said the Director of Laboratory Services Dr Hajah Surita binti Haji Mohd Taib in an interview. “During the assessment period, we were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were numerous challenges, including human resources, process management and lab testing.
“Alhamdulilah, we were able to overcome those challenges with hard work and dedication to provide quality services,” she said.
Under the 3PSA, four stars meant a ‘very good’ level of performance.
Three other government agencies received a three-star ‘good’ level of performance: The Survey Department, the Department of Electrical Services and the Registry of Companies and Business Names.
Meanwhile, the Premier Innovation Award (AIP) for projects under government departments also took place yesterday.
The ‘Fit for Purpose’ project under the Survey Department received a silver award while the ‘Computerised Student Assessment Tracker’ project under the Department of Planning, Development and Research and the Department of Examinations at the Ministry of Education received a bronze award.
Surveyor Surzana @ Abdul Khaliq Bujang, Surveyor in Tutong District said that the silver award for their project is “a high achievement” for their department.
‘Fit for Purpose’ is a measurement methodology research project ongoing in the Tutong District, she said, adding it may be expanded to other districts.
Meanwhile, System Administrator at the Department of Examinations Haji Adam bin Haji Mokhtar said the assessment tracker was developed in 2020, which measures students’ core competencies in literacy, numeracy and science nationwide.
The tracker was cloud-based, so it was accessible from different applications on available devices in schools, and any necessary changes can be implemented easily.
He said the system managed to reduce code entry errors, subjective evaluation as well as other redundant processes such as printing and issuances of erratum notices.
He said there are more improvements still to be made, and the ministry is working to ensure quality assessments for a valid and reliable measurement of student learning.
Haji Adam said, “We are very grateful for the award, as it is a recognition of all the hard work that the whole team has contributed throughout the project.”
Yesterday’s event also saw 35 public servants from Division II to V receive Civil Service Employee Excellent Award and eight public servants from Division V collect Civil Service Employee’s Meritorious and Dedication Award (AKB2PA).
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof was the guest of honour.
