Cases of bullying and violence in Malaysian schools have nearly doubled in just two years, rising from 3,883 incidents in 2022 to 7,681 in 2024, according to the Education Ministry’s Student Discipline Management System (SSDM).
The spike in disciplinary problems has prompted calls for stronger interventions, including a proposal from Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who suggested that reintroducing public examinations like UPSR and PMR could help restore structure and discipline among students.
During the 2026 Supply Bill debate in Parliament on Nov 12, Ramkarpal questioned whether the removal of these exams may have contributed to the rise in bullying and violence. “Is there a correlation between the abolition of exams and the increase in these cases? Is the ministry planning to study this link?” he asked, according to Malaysia Gazette.
He added that exams like UPSR and PMR once played a critical role not just in assessing academic performance, but also in developing focus, discipline, and responsible behaviour among students. Reintroducing structured assessments, he suggested, could reduce excessive time spent on video games and social media, factors that may influence negative behaviour.
Ramkarpal also highlighted high-profile incidents of school violence, including a recent murder at SMK Bandar Utama 4, Petaling Jaya, as evidence of escalating aggression among students.
While acknowledging that banning violent online games may not be feasible, he urged the government to explore structured alternatives such as mandatory co-curricular activities, sports, and discipline-building programmes to help foster better character and curb bullying.
For context, UPSR and PMR examinations were fully abolished in 2022, replaced by the Form Three Assessment (PT3) and a holistic, continuous assessment system under then-Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin. Ramkarpal’s comments reignite debate over whether the removal of these exams has inadvertently affected student behaviour and discipline.
