Clarity needed on Form Three assessment

THE government’s recent announcement about the introduction of national assessment of Form Three pupils has reopened an important conversation but also an uncomfortable one. Parents are not questioning the need for assessment. We are questioning the lack of clarity.

Following the abolition of the UPSR exam in 2021 and the PT3 in 2022, Malaysia shifted towards school-based assessments aimed at reducing exam pressure and promoting holistic learning. While progressive in intent, the transition has exposed significant gaps. Without a consistent national benchmark, standards now vary across schools, teachers are stretched managing continuous assessments, and parents remain uncertain about their child’s actual academic standing.