Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has dismissed suggestions that bringing back major school examinations would create a generation of students who merely memorise without understanding.
The Umno secretary-general argued that exams are essential for measuring how well students grasp their lessons.
“Such reasoning is unreasonable. If exams truly created a generation of ‘parrots’, then the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) should also be abolished,” he wrote in a Facebook post today.
He pointed out that the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) is needed to check students’ progress, unlike the School Academic Final Test (UASA), which is school-based and not standardised.
Response to Education DG’s Concerns
Education director-general Mohd Azam Ahmad had earlier warned that reviving major exams might lead to students who perform well on paper but struggle to apply knowledge in real life.
He stressed the need for skilled, morally sound, and emotionally balanced young people, especially in an automated world where rote learning could overshadow overall growth.
Asyraf countered that UPSR plays a key role in building character and preparing for the future.
“UPSR helps students evaluate the extent of their understanding and mastery of knowledge, while enabling teachers to identify areas that require improvement,” he explained.
Benefits Beyond the Classroom
Exams instill discipline and responsibility, requiring planning, dedication, and time management. They build perseverance and resilience under pressure, Asyraf added.
Such assessments are also vital for selecting students into institutions like Fully Residential Schools, Mara Junior Science Colleges, National Religious Secondary Schools, and vocational schools.
“Examinations motivate students to work harder, foster healthy competition, and nurture the drive to succeed,” he said.
The process teaches patience, reliance on God, and acceptance, reinforcing that true success demands consistent effort.
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