PRELIMINARY findings from engagement sessions held by the Education Ministry (MOE) showed stakeholders felt the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) would hinder students’ non-academic activity.

Education director-general Pkharuddin Ghazali said findings from the engagement sessions showed Malaysians want values-based education prioritised.

“When we held engagement sessions, we received input from pupils, parents and leaders. They were unanimous in saying UPSR should not be revived as it would hinder primary school students’ ability to be active in other fields,” he told reporters after the MOE Inspiration Talk programme in Putrajaya today.

He was commenting on Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s October 28 statement that the ministry would not revive UPSR despite requests for it to be reintroduced as a benchmark for kids’ primary school academic achievements.

The test was abolished in 2021 following its cancellation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We aren’t saying exams are not good, but at the (primary school level), character building and instilling values in students are more of a priority,” he said. – Bernama, November 3, 2023.