Fadhlina Assures Parents Spm Will Not Be Scrapped Defends Moe S Assessment Methods

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EDUCATION Minister Fadhlina Sidek has dismissed speculation that the government intends to abolish SPM, stressing that it remains Malaysia’s most important school-leaving qualification.

She noted that while public debate has arisen due to the abolition of UPSR and PMR, these assessments were fundamentally different. UPSR functioned as a test while PT3 – which replaced PMR – was a form of on-going assessment.
“The government has no intention of abolishing SPM. It is the highest certification in Malaysian schooling,” she revealed during the Kerusi Biru podcast
“We still have exams like Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (UASA) as well as special assessments for entry into Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) and fully residential schools.”
Education Minister Fadhlina SidekThe Nibong Tebal MP reiterated that modern assessment methods are designed to capture students’ abilities more holistically rather than relying solely on standardised tests.
“Assessments are more effective because they don’t just measure students through exams,” she justified. “Every child has different attitudes and talents, and holistic assessment helps us understand them better.”
Teachers’ workload
She also said that the Education Ministry’s current direction is yielding clear progress, particularly in teacher placement, upgrading dilapidated schools, and reducing administrative burdens on educators.
Fadhlina stressed that addressing teacher shortages remains a top priority as it directly affects classroom learning.
“It would be a disaster if we don’t have enough teachers as this will impact pupils in the classroom,” she pointed out.

“But the Madani government has managed to fill 98% of teaching positions over the last three years. This effort cannot stop – we have to continue addressing shortages back-to-back.”
Fadhlina also highlighted significant progress in resolving issues involving dilapidated schools, noting that the government has consistently allocated funds across three consecutive budgets to tackle the problem.
“No previous administration has shown this level of commitment in addressing dilapidated schools,” she said, adding that current upgrades demonstrate “very good progress”.
On teacher’s workload, the PKR women’s wing chief said while easing teachers’ workload has been a long-standing challenge inherited by every government, the ministry has taken concrete steps to improve educators’ well-being.
“In the first year of the Madani government, we introduced seven measures to reduce teachers’ workload. In the second year, we introduced the Teacher Well-being Index,” shared PKR lawmaker.
She added that MOE has also abolished the requirement for teachers to fill in the Pupil Discipline System (SSDM) pupil behaviour form, a move aimed at further reducing administrative tasks.
At the same time, the ministry is also working to reduce the number of pupils who choose not to sit for the SPM examination.
“In the first year, the number was around 10,000. In the second year, it dropped to 8,000,” revealed Fadhlina. “We are studying further steps to continue lowering this figure.” –  Focus Malaysia

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