KUALA LUMPUR – Mara chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has called for the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination to be reinstated, saying it’s essential to gauge primary students’ mastery level of education.
“Illogical reasoning. If exams really create a ‘generation of parrots’, then the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) exam should also be abolished. An exam like UPSR allows the gauging of a students’ mastery of studies. (UPSR) must be reinstated!,” the former Umno Youth chief wrote on Facebook today.
He was responding to a statement by Education director-general Mohd Azam Ahmad to Berita Harian, that relying heavily on exam results to measure student progress would only create a “generation of parrots” – students who can repeat information but fail to truly understand or apply what they have learned.
The DG also said that restoring examinations that were abolished by the Education Ministry following extensive studies and engagement sessions could threaten efforts to shape the nation’s future generation.
Elaborating, Asyraf listed five reasons why UPSR, previously held for Standard 6 students, ought to be reinstated.
“Aside from allowing students to gauge how far they have mastered what have been taught to them, (exams) also allow teachers decide segments that they have to improve on.
“Exams also instil sense of discipline and responsibility. Preparing for an exam needs planning, hard work and timing discipline. This shapes students into disciplined beings who are able to handle pressure, which are much needed values in life,” said Asyraf.
Exams make students work harder
UPSR, he added, was crucial to “filter” primary level students as they step into the world of secondary and other higher level educations.
“Exams make students work harder, compete (with each other) in a healthy manner, and have the spirit to succeed.
“Preparing for an exam teaches one patience, to put trust in God, and contentment. It also teaches that success does not come easily, and requires continued effort,” said Asyraf.
The Education Ministry abolished UPSR in 2021, replacing it with School-Based Assessment to reduce academic pressure and shift the focus from rote memorisation to understanding and application of knowledge.
Similarly, the Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) was abolished in 2022 and replaced with an enhanced School-Based Assessment system comprising three main components: Classroom Assessment, Physical, Sports and Co-curricular Assessment and Psychometric Assessment (PPsi).
Since then, various quarters, including former education ministers Dr Maszlee Malik and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, have called for the examinations to be reinstated to better identify students’ aptitudes and potential. – November 10, 2025