Gerakan urged the Education Ministry to set up an independent commission not only to study the feasibility of UPSR and PMR examinations, but also to review the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our education system as a whole.

Gerakan deputy secretary-general Liang Teck Meng said the issue of abolishing exams is a serious matter and of great importance to our future generation. More importantly, the proposed abolishment of the two government examinations should not just be “stand alone” adjustment but rather should be made in tandem with overall education reform.

“This crucial issue should be considered in depth before any decision is taken, and that the government should set up an independent commission to delve into this matter as thorough and as comprehensive as possible，by getting adequate feedback from various stakeholders ,” said Liang, who is also MP for Simpang Renggam.

Liang echoed the common public grouses that lately so many education reforms have been made in “piece meal” and “rushing” manners which clearly were not in the interest of the nation.

“The reform should include review and changes in primary education, syllabus of SPM, standardisation of university entrance qualifications and expansion of technical education,” explained Liang.

Liang added that while it is good that the school curriculum included components of creative and critical thinking in the science subjects, there is still room to improve especially in the format of exams and assessments.

“We should study and adopt exemplary education models practiced by developed nations such as those of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. These Scandinavian countries are known to have some of the best education platforms in the world,” said Liang.

Liang said Malaysian students have great potential and if harness rightly, have much to contribute to the global good.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently said that the government is considering terminating the UPSR and PMR exams to make the Malaysian education system less exams-based.