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KENINGAU: Former educators in the Interior region have welcomed and fully supported the move by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to reactivate the National Education Advisory Council to study the need to reintroduce the Form Three Assessment (PT3) and the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR).

A former Excellent Headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Putih, Keningau, Yazid Mohd Hasnan Tawik @ Charles, said that as a former educator and school administrator, he views the review as timely and in line with the current needs of the national education system.

He said the abolition of UPSR and PT3 previously had sparked various reactions among parents, teachers, and the community, particularly regarding the need for a clearer and more standardized national benchmark.

“Although School-Based Assessment has its own strengths, centralized examinations such as UPSR and PT3 can serve as complementary tools to help evaluate students’ mastery more objectively, especially in rural schools, particularly in the Interior,” he said when asked to comment on a recent statement by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

In this regard, Yazid, who is also a Supreme Committee Member of the Sabah Former Educators Association (PMPS) and Chairman of the Bingkor Community Welfare Association, hopes that the findings of the study to be presented to the Cabinet will take into account the views of all stakeholders, including experienced teachers, parents, and education experts, to ensure a fair, balanced, and effective assessment system for the future of children.

Another former educator, Rosdi Aspar @ James Bambangan, also believes that it would be better for UPSR and PT3 to be reinstated.

Rosdi, who previously served at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Nabawan and later became a headmaster at several primary schools (SK) in the Nabawan district before his mandatory retirement, said that among the benefits of reinstating UPSR and PT3 is that teachers would have stronger motivation in the teaching and learning process.

He said both examinations have defined teaching limits and targets that must be achieved, and teachers are not overly dependent on others as each subject has its own objectives.

“Headmasters also frequently monitor teachers to ensure the progress of their teaching and how much of the syllabus has been completed,” he said.

In terms of benefits to students, he explained that students would be more motivated to learn and more diligent in attending school because there is a clear goal to be achieved at the end of the year.

He added that students would undergo more practice exercises, and parents would also actively monitor their children’s learning at home.

“Besides that, parents and teachers can see students’ academic achievements and progress. Teachers, parents, and students feel a sense of pride when students pass,” he added.

Recently, the Ministry of Education reactivated the National Education Advisory Council to study the need for the implementation of PT3 and UPSR.

Its minister, Fadhlina Sidek, said that the council’s findings would be presented to the Cabinet before any further decision is made.

She said the review takes into account requests from parents who still want the examinations to be reconsidered.

“Survey reports and any findings will be submitted to the Cabinet for a decision,” she said.

Fadhlina added that the study will be carried out as soon as possible.

UPSR was abolished in 2021, while PT3 was abolished in 2022, with both being replaced by School-Based Assessment.

Meanwhile, Sabah Government Teachers’ Union (KGKS) has expressed its backing for the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s (KPM) suggestion to evaluate the national education assessment system, including the suggestion to bring back the Form Three Assessment (PT3) or the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR).

KGKS President Murkam Hussien stated that this move reflects KPM’s openness to evaluate and improve the assessment system according to current needs.

“However, KGKS believes that the views of all parties, including parents and the community, should be considered before implementing this proposal,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Murkam emphasised that any study and decisions related to the national assessment system must be conducted transparently, involving teacher unions, educators in schools, parents, and other stakeholders.

He noted that the study should comprehensively assess the short-term and long-term impacts, including school readiness, teacher training, student welfare, and alignment with holistic educational aspirations.

Murkam also urged that the implementation mechanism be fair and not repeat the weaknesses of a system overly focused on examinations alone.

Meanwhile, Murkam wished all students, especially Year 1 pupils, a happy return to school as the new school session for 2026 begins.