30/09/2025

TUESDAY | SEPT 30, 2025

3 Concerns mount over lower passing mark in final exams

Reduced benchmark may normalise mediocrity, warns educator

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Setting the passing mark for school examinations at just 20% could have serious consequences on students’ motivation, study habits and long-term learning outcomes, warns University of Nottingham Malaysia associate professor Dr Siti Khadijah Zainal Badri. Siti Khadijah, from the university’s Institute of Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, said a low threshold risks creating a false sense of achievement. “It encourages complacency. Students may settle for the bare minimum, which stunts growth and makes learning less rewarding.” She noted that the psychological effects could differ across groups. “High performers may become careless because passing feels too easy, while weaker students may lack the incentive to push themselves. A 20% pass mark applied across all subjects is unlikely to encourage meaningful learning, especially without considering subject complexity.” She also warned of the danger of moving students forward without mastery. “Those who progress without a strong foundation will struggle with advanced concepts. Emotionally, we may see students who are less resilient and more distressed when faced with tougher academic challenges, particularly if they’ve been shielded from failure too early.” Clear grading, she added, plays a vital role in preparing students for future challenges. “Transparent benchmarks help students identify strengths and weaknesses. They support the growth of competitive, capable individuals who can contribute effectively to society.” She stressed that the impact goes beyond exams to shape lifelong attitudes towards learning. “When students believe minimal effort is enough, curiosity, perseverance and self-directed learning decline. These are mindsets that, once lost, are difficult to rebuild later in life.” She said any move to lower the bar must be justified and communicated carefully. “Implementing a low pass rate without clear rationale undermines students’ approach to learning. Lack of challenge fosters a ‘minimal effort’ culture, which harms growth, resilience and motivation.” – By HARITH KAMAL

o Parents and teachers warn 20% threshold could undermine students’ motivation, dilute learning standards and breed complacency in classroom

said, noting that without UPSR or PT3, pressure only arrives with SPM in Form Five. He said automatic progression combined with a lower pass mark had eroded the sense of competition that once motivated students. “Previously, ‘D’ meant ‘satisfactory.’ Now there’s an E for ‘minimum achievement.’ That means even those who score 20% feel safe because they’ve technically passed.” The teacher warned this redefinition risks giving children a false sense of security. “Exams are not just about passing or failing – they provide milestones that push students to aim higher. If students keep settling for an E, what’s the point of studying?” He added that the absence of challenge could damage mindsets in the long run. “If that’s missing for too long, it affects how they view effort and discipline. And in the end, that hurts them not only in school, but in life as well.”

PETALING JAYA: Parents and educators have raised concern over claims that the passing grade for school assessments has been lowered to 20% under the Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (Uasa), with some warning that such a threshold could affect students’ motivation and learning habits. Introduced in 2022, Uasa is the year-end assessment for pupils in Standards Four to Six and students in Forms One to Three. It replaced centralised exams such as the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3), which were abolished to ease exam-centred learning. But recent claims that the passing threshold has been slashed from 40% to 20% have rattled parents. A mother who wished to be known only as Lina said she was stunned to hear of the change during a chat with her son’s teachers. Her concern deepened when her son proudly declared that

“When you tell a child they only need 20% to pass, you’re essentially giving them a licence to be lazy. Why study hard when you can scrape by, by answering a few questions?” She urged the Education Ministry to restore the 40% benchmark. “Our children deserve better. Parents have a right to demand a system that truly prepares them for success.” Educators are also uneasy. A young teacher who began his career this year said casual chats with students revealed a worrying lack of urgency. “Their answer was simple: because there are no exams,” he

scoring 43% put him well above the “new” passing line. “They don’t feel the need to study harder, nor do they see scoring below 50% as alarming. My biggest fear is that when they step into the real world, my son won’t be able to cope or compete with others who learnt early on the value of hard work.” Another parent with two children described the policy as “deeply troubling”. “It sends the wrong message, one that undermines the purpose of education and sets our children up for mediocrity.” She argued that learning should be about striving for excellence, not coasting on the bare minimum.

Educators warned lowering passing grade gives children false sense of security, stressing that exams provide milestones that push students to aim higher. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Explain reasons for revised grading, academic urges ministry PETALING JAYA: The real issue behind claims that the passing grade in the Uasa has been lowered to 20% is not the number itself but the lack of transparency and dialogue with parents, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad. He said even if the threshold is lowered, it can be acceptable if there is a clear explanation. real skills.” He stressed that grades should always reflect competency. “An A should mean mastery of literacy and numeracy. If grades are lowered without matching standards, students may pass without actually being prepared for the next level.” standardised exams. “UPSR, PMR, PT3 and SPM were checkpoints to measure capability nationwide. We want to know if students in rural Sarawak, for example, are performing at the same level as those in urban centres.

Singon said the matter had not been formally discussed with the ministry. But he noted the ministry was focused on other urgent issues and stressed that students scoring below 40% clearly need close attention from teachers and parents. He added that family support remains key to driving motivation. “Parents worrying about their children’s lack of drive is part of the challenge. Neglect in family education leaves children drifting in their own world. They need guidance from the beginning to master literacy, numeracy, religion and manners,” he said. – By HARITH KAMAL

“If the Education Ministry has reduced the pass mark to 20%, parents need to know whether it is because the syllabus is tougher or because the ministry wants to encourage motivation.” But he warned that a pass mark set too low could backfire. “If students think 20% is enough, some may not take studying seriously. Education is about building discipline, focus and resilience. A passing grade that’s too low risks students settling for the minimum without developing

“Exams help identify which schools or regions are struggling so support can be channelled effectively. They ensure no student is left behind.” Last December, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) urged the ministry to address parents’ concerns circulating online about the alleged 20% pass mark. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi

He noted that while no formal study has proven the link, there appears to be a correlation between grade standards and student mindset. “Over time, constantly lowering the bar may affect the quality of learning. It could normalise mediocrity.” Anuar also defended the role of

He said poor communication fuels suspicion and weakens trust in the system. “When parents are not informed, they make assumptions. Schools, the ministry and parents must engage more openly so everyone understands the reasons for any changes,” he told theSun .