Fadhlina Sidek: No Return for UPSR and PT3 Exams

PUTRAJAYA: There will not be a return of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) examinations, confirms Fadhlina Sidek. The Education Minister said these national examinations are just not suitable with the current age. "We cannot go backwards. Looking at the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035, we must move forward," she said after the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 today (Jan 20). The reinstatement of the UPSR and PT3 examinations has been a topic of hot debate since the exams were abolished in 2021 and 2022 respectively. On Jan 9, she had hinted at the possible return of the two examinations after the national education advisory council reviews the matter. Fadhlina stressed that the ministry has strongly defended its position that there will be no UPSR or PT3 examinations anymore. "We want to focus on the classroom-based assessments because it is a system that looks at the potential of these children holistically, as a whole. It does not evaluate them based on the examination aspect alone," she said. However, she said the government has taken and assessed public feedback on the current assessment systems being used in schools and has decided to instead implement the Malaysian Learning Metrics for Year Four and Form Three students. Fadhlina said the test will be conducted by the Examinations Board to ensure it is standardised for all students taking it. The results of the test will then be used to determine if a student requires any interventions before they finish primary school or sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, she said.