KUALA LUMPUR: Penang Wanita Umno chief Zainab Bakar has suggested that the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Form Three Assessment (PT3) be reinstated to better prepare students for further education.
Appealing to the Education Ministry, she said the lack of such evaluations could also halt students' potential.
Zainab also said examinations like the UPSR and PT3 gave students more confidence when pursuing higher education.
“Previously, we had the UPSR and also the PT3 with the latter also streaming students either into science or arts clusters.
“However, both were later scrapped in favour of school and classroom-based evaluations.
“Teachers and parents have also voiced concerns that the abolishing of standard examinations may result in students feeling aimless about their future,” she said when debating the Wanita Umno policy speech here during the 2024 Umno general assembly here on Thursday (Aug 22).
Zainab said it was crucial to evaluate the progress of students before their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations.
“When students don’t sit for exams for a long period, it can see them being careless and less focused on education.
“The UPSR and PT3 examinations can enhance students' education mastery.
“Without them, it can also halt a students’ full potential,” she said.
The UPSR, which was a Year Six assessment test, was abolished in 2021 while the PT3 exam was scrapped a year later.
Meanwhile, Perak Puteri Umno chief Sarah Syazwani Saari stressed the importance of education, saying it would spur productivity and innovation.
“Quality education allows people to have a better grasp of their rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
“This will increase political awareness, involvement in the democratic and process and supporting political stability.
“Better democratic education will also result in smarter voters who do not vote based on emotions and propaganda,” she said.
She added that the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects should also not be overlooked.
“This is vital in supporting the country's policies,” she said.
She acknowledged the challenges in resources for STEM education, citing a lack of infrastructure especially in rural schools.
“This can hinder quality practical experiences for students,” she said, adding that the issue needed immediate attention to allow Malaysia to compete at an international level.
