PETALING JAYA: Children should not be treated as “lab rats” whenever the government introduces a new policy, says MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung (pic).
She expressed concern over the Education Ministry’s plans to revive the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3), which were abolished during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This move once again highlights the government’s lack of consistency in education policies.
“When policies are repeatedly reversed, it is not the system that suffers first, but our children and ultimately, the nation’s future,” Saw said in a statement yesterday.
“It cannot be stressed enough that children must never be treated as experimental subjects, and education policy is not a trial-and-error exercise.”
UPSR and PT3 were abolished in 2021 and 2022 respectively, and the government is now considering reinstating both public examinations.
“Such abrupt shifts send mixed signals to students, parents and teachers, creating uncertainty and undermining confidence in the education system,” Saw pointed out.
Highlighting the need for evidence-based decisions, she stressed that any changes in policy must rely on sound and credible research, and be proven practical and sustainable before implementation.
“Constantly abolishing and reviving policies sends the message that decisions are made hastily rather than responsibly,” she added.
Saw also noted that students who enrolled in Year One in 2021 have yet to complete a full education cycle.
“Without allowing sufficient time to properly assess the long-term impact of abolishing the UPSR and PT3 exams, it is premature and irresponsible to consider reversing these decisions,” she said.
She urged the Education Ministry to provide clear, consistent and long-term direction in policymaking.
“Until the effectiveness of school-based assessments has been fully reviewed and at least one full education cycle has been completed, there should be no hasty policy reversals.
“Stability, clarity and accountability are essential to safeguarding our children’s future,” Saw said.
