The Education Ministry's decision to reinstate the UPSR and PT3 exams has sparked concern among experts in the education sector. - Scoop file pic, January 14, 2026
Have they no faith in the system? Educationists question ministry’s proposal to reinstate UPSR, PT3
Concerns raised over policy shifts, the potential impact on students, and the lack of research behind the decision
Have they no faith in the system? Educationists question ministry’s proposal to reinstate UPSR, PT3
Concerns raised over policy shifts, the potential impact on students, and the lack of research behind the decision
Keran Raj
14 January, 2026
8:30 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry’s decision to reinstate the UPSR and PT3 exams has sparked concern among experts in the education sector.
UCSI University lecturer, Othman Talib, suggested that the frequent policy changes indicate a loss of confidence in the current educational system.
He argued that the Ministry’s decision to bring back examinations like the UPSR serves as a substitute for trust in ongoing teaching methods.
“Parents no longer believe that daily teaching, assessment, and intervention are functioning effectively. Public examinations are seen as the only remaining mechanism to ‘force’ learning,” he said.
Uma Devi Jenes Nayagam, Headmistress of Sathya Sai Primary School, also highlighted the challenges posed by the constant policy changes.
“While these changes are often intended to modernise the education system and improve outcomes, constant adjustments can disrupt lesson planning, teaching strategies, and students’ preparedness, potentially undermining confidence in the system,” she said.
However, she acknowledged that these shifts may reflect the Ministry’s responsiveness to evolving educational needs and global trends.
Sathya Sai Primary School Headmistress Uma Devi Jenes Nayagam. – Courtesy pic, January 14, 2026
The issue was further raised by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chee Ann Chung, who questioned whether the decision to revisit UPSR and PT3 stemmed from concerns about student performance in recent years.
“This raises several questions: Is there a gap in the implementation of Classroom Assessment (PBD)? Is the urban–rural divide and student dropout rate widening? And has the administrative burden on teachers become so heavy that it compromises the quality of implementation?” Lee asked in a statement.
He further questioned the rationale behind the potential return of these exams, asking if their abolition had truly affected student performance or whether their reintroduction was necessary to improve outcomes.
Datuk Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, expressed concerns over the research behind the decision.
“Any shift or policy the MOE wants to implement must be based on research and review,” he said.
He pointed out that policy changes based on research usually take two to three years, which makes the Ministry’s sudden decision to revisit these exams appear rushed.
“If we conduct a study, you need at least two or three years to prove that change is necessary,” he explained.
The issue was further raised by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chee Ann Chung, who questioned whether the decision to revisit UPSR and PT3 stemmed from concerns about student performance in recent years.
“This raises several questions: Is there a gap in the implementation of Classroom Assessment (PBD)? Is the urban–rural divide and student dropout rate widening? And has the administrative burden on teachers become so heavy that it compromises the quality of implementation?” Lee asked in a statement.
He further questioned the rationale behind the potential return of these exams, asking if their abolition had truly affected student performance or whether their reintroduction was necessary to improve outcomes.
Datuk Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, expressed concerns over the research behind the decision.
“Any shift or policy the MOE wants to implement must be based on research and review,” he said.
He pointed out that policy changes based on research usually take two to three years, which makes the Ministry’s sudden decision to revisit these exams appear rushed.
“If we conduct a study, you need at least two or three years to prove that change is necessary,” he explained.
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Board of Directors chairman Datuk Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan. – Courtesy pic, January 14, 2026
Meanwhile, Othman echoed similar concerns, saying that reintroducing public exams could narrow the curriculum and increase student anxiety.
“However, if designed as low-stakes for students but high-stakes for the system—where results trigger mandatory intervention, resource allocation, and instructional support—they could serve a constructive role,” he suggested.
In response to the growing debate, the Ministry recently reactivated the National Education Advisory Council to assess the potential revival of the UPSR and PT3 exams, which were abolished in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Ministry’s decision is part of a broader effort to review the effectiveness of Malaysia’s holistic learning approach, which had led to the scrapping of these major exams. – January 14, 2026
Meanwhile, Othman echoed similar concerns, saying that reintroducing public exams could narrow the curriculum and increase student anxiety.
“However, if designed as low-stakes for students but high-stakes for the system—where results trigger mandatory intervention, resource allocation, and instructional support—they could serve a constructive role,” he suggested.
In response to the growing debate, the Ministry recently reactivated the National Education Advisory Council to assess the potential revival of the UPSR and PT3 exams, which were abolished in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Ministry’s decision is part of a broader effort to review the effectiveness of Malaysia’s holistic learning approach, which had led to the scrapping of these major exams. – January 14, 2026
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