PETALING JAYA: Students have no experience sitting for major national examinations before they are 17 or 18 and parents are concerned about their laid back attitude towards the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), with some calling for the return of the PT3 and UPSR exams.
A parent who wants to be known as Chin, 57, said that his Form Four son seemed relaxed and not focused on his studies, compared with his older siblings who sat for the exams.
“Without exams like Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3), my son doesn’t feel it is important to study but I will make sure he does his studies and finishes his homework,” he said.
Chin said he still buys studying materials like revision books to prepare his son to sit for SPM next year.
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“My son’s result is not very good and there is also not enough push from the schools,” he added.
Similarly, Siti A., 51, said UPSR and PT3 are important to help students handle exam pressure before they sit for SPM.
“The continuous studying for major exams such as UPSR and PT3 can help them better prepare for SPM. This is important for them to get into university, or college and obtain scholarships,” she said.
Batmavathy Rajagopal, 61, urged for the reintroduction of PT3 and UPSR, saying they instil discipline and a sense of purpose.
“Having these exams can help them stay focused. Because without exams, students have too much free time and lack a proper daily routine,” she told The Star.
“Examinations teach students to plan their time effectively and manage stress, which are useful later in working life. When there’s nothing to work towards, they tend to procrastinate and may even fall into negative social behaviours.”
Meanwhile, a Form Four student from Kuala Lumpur, who only wished to be known as Oh, said there is still some pressure she faces with the exams.
However, Oh said the reintroduction of the UPSR and PT3 would make it harder for students to adapt as they have many activities in school.
“Students have numerous curriculum activities. In my opinion, examinations do not makes a student study harder, it is discipline,” she said.
