SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — A majority of Malaysians, particularly parents, continue to hope for the reinstatement of the Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR), which was abolished five years ago.
A recent survey conducted by Media Selangor on Facebook found that around 90 percent of respondents agreed that the national primary school examination should be continued as a means to assess pupils’ understanding and academic progress.
User Fazee Adnan remarked that the exam serves as a useful benchmark to gauge students’ capabilities.
“Its function is to assess Year Six pupils. Without this benchmark, secondary school teachers will find it difficult to estimate students’ academic abilities. Bring back UPSR,” he wrote.
Another respondent, Hamran Hamid, felt that the UPSR should not be viewed as a source of fear or stress, since it is simply a form of assessment.
“There is no need to fear it; it is meant for children who should be working toward their targets,” he said.
The UPSR was officially abolished in 2021, while the Form Three Assessment (PT3) was discontinued the same year.
Then senior education minister Datuk Radzi Jidin said the decision followed extensive engagement with stakeholders after the exam was first cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following its abolition, the ministry strengthened school-based assessments and introduced the Special School Admission Assessment (PKSK) for students seeking entry into fully residential schools and similar institutions.
Recently, former education minister Maszlee Malik suggested that the UPSR could be revived using big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate students’ potential beyond academic performance.
Echoing similar sentiments, fellow former minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid argued that a national-level assessment system remains important to shape students’ overall character and values.
Prominent education figure Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom also concurred, noting that examinations are necessary to identify students' weaknesses and provide targeted interventions.
Within 24 hours of Media Selangor’s online poll being posted, 169 respondents had shared their views on the future of the UPSR.
