Suicide tendency: Exams abolished to reduce students' academic stress

 

PARLIAMENT | The abolishment of examinations aimed to reduce academic stress among school students and prevent suicide, the Dewan Rakyat heard this morning.

This was according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (Harapan-Gopeng) about recent suicide cases among students, which some had blamed on stressful school curriculums.

“This was why the ministry had taken the step to abolish examinations. So that there will be no more exam-based learning.

“There is no more exam-oriented learning. Instead, we focus on learning based on inquiries, exploration, experience, contextual study, and assessments done by evaluating students’ development holistically.

“Students now learn through content and experience instead of focusing on examinations alone,” Fadhlina (above) said during the Dewan Rakyat Minister’s Question Time.

The government had previously abolished UPSR and PT3 examinations for Standard 6 and Form 3 students respectively.

Earlier, Tan in his question raised the issue of recent suicide cases involving school students, including one last week, which saw a Form 4 student in Penang leaving behind a note stating her depression over academic achievement.

Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing

He cited that the lack of co-curriculum activities had allegedly been a contributing factor, and wanted Fadhlina to explain if her ministry has any plan to revise the system.

Adding further, the minister said the learning approach “that ensures the focus is no longer on examinations” has helped to reduce stress and offer a better learning ecosystem.

In September, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly spoke about the need to revamp the national education policy, including the lack of assessments for Year 6 and Form 3 students.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

He said this after it was found that about 10,177 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates last year did not sit for the exam, and problems with reading, writing, and arithmetic were identified.

However, Fadhlina later stated that there was no plan to revive UPSR and PT3 exams for Year 6 and Form 3 students, respectively, or centralised testing.

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If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone who is, please call the following hotlines:

Talian Kasih
Hotline: 15999

The Befrienders
Hotline: 03-76272929

Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
Hotline: 03-77855955 or 03-77810800

Life Line Association Malaysia
Hotline: 03-42657995

- Mkini