Cases of bullying and violence among Malaysian students have nearly doubled in just two years, jumping from 3,883 cases in 2022 to a staggering 7,681 cases in 2024, according to the Education Ministry’s Student Discipline Management System (SSDM).
The alarming trend has sparked calls for stronger intervention including a proposal from Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who believes the government should reintroduce public exams like UPSR and PMR to restore structure and discipline in schools.
MP questions link between exams and behaviour
Speaking during the 2026 Supply Bill debate in Parliament yesterday (Nov 12), Ramkarpal questioned whether the abolition of exams may have contributed to the rise in disciplinary problems, reported Malaysia Gazette.
The question is, is there a correlation between the absence of examinations and the increase in these cases? Is the ministry planning to conduct a study to determine this link?” he asked.
He added that beyond assessing academic ability, exams like UPSR and PMR once played a key role in shaping focus and discipline among students.
“Reintroducing academic assessments may reduce the time students spend on video games and social media, which can influence their behaviour,” he said.
Violence in schools on the rise
Ramkarpal also cited recent high-profile cases, including the murder at SMK Bandar Utama 4, Petaling Jaya, as an example of how school-based aggression has escalated to worrying levels.
He noted that while banning aggressive online games may not be realistic, the government should explore structured alternatives such as mandatory co-curricular activities, sports, and discipline-building programmes to cultivate better character and reduce bullying.
For context, the UPSR and PMR examinations later replaced by the Form Three Assessment (PT3) were fully abolished in 2022 under then-Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, in favour of a more holistic and continuous assessment system.
