The Ministry of Education has recently decided to abolish the UPSR and PT3 examinations for students.
In Parliament today (November 26), its minister, Fadhlina Sidek said the abolishment aims to reduce students’ academic stress. In response to a question from fellow politician Tan Kar Hing, Fadhlina said the decision is related to the recent uprising in suicide cases among school students, in which some of them blamed academic stress as one of the reasons.
“This was why the ministry has taken the step to abolish examinations. So that there will be no more exam-based learning.”
So, what comes next now that UPSR and PT3 are gone?
Fadhlina said with the absence of exam-oriented learning, the students will focus on learning based on inquiries, exploration, experience, contextual study, and assessments.
She also said that the Ministry will always prioritize the welfare and well-being of the students, including their mental health. A screening will also be conducted to detect early signs of emotional disturbance among students.
“Healthy Mind Screening is carried out once a year for all students from year five to form six, while students identified as having severe and very severe emotional disorders are given immediate help twice a year.”
Fadhlina added that the Ministry of Education is also developing a Teacher Well-being Index (IKG) to measure teacher well-being through the domains of resource availability and use, teacher autonomy and competence, work and environment harmony, psychological well-being, and support systems.
“Might as well don’t go to school”
Malaysians, on the other hand, did not sit well with the Ministry’s decision to cease exam-based learning, and many feared the consequences that would follow after the abolishment of UPSR & PT3.
“Might as well don’t go to school. No wonder students today are too smart.”
“This will add to the teacher’s stress.”
“No wonder many go out to engage in Rempit activities today. They get lazy to study.”
“UPSR has to come back so that the students will study hard. It will be important to know how much the kids progress before they take the next step.”
“This is how the education system of our country falls. Oxford and Cambridge universities screen their students with exams.”
“Might as well abolish the education minister.”
“This might be good news for the kids but as parents, we don’t know the progress of our kids.”
What do you think of the abolishment of exam-based learning?
Also read: “Chill, SPM isn’t everything” – Malaysian Man Who Failed SPM Brags About His RM3.5K Salary
