KOTA PADAWAN: Sarawak will review the future of its Ujian Penilaian Dual Language Programme (UP-DLP) should national-level examinations such as the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) be reintroduced.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah stated this after officiating the First Day of School 2026 programme at SMK Tun Abdul Razak here on Monday (Jan 12).
He said the state would take a measured approach in aligning its education initiatives with any policy changes at the federal level.
In this regard, Sagah said he personally hopes that UPSR and PT3 will be brought back, as the examinations previously provided clearer benchmarks to assess students’ academic progress at key stages of their schooling.
“We will cross the bridge when we reach there. We will see how it is,” he said when asked whether the UP-DLP would remain if UPSR and PT3 are brought back.
Nevertheless, Sagah stressed that the UP-DLP serves a specific purpose in Sarawak’s education system, particularly in strengthening students’ mastery of English.
“You must remember that UP-DLP is in English,” he added.
Sagah said the programme has been implemented in phases, with last year’s intake involving Primary Six pupils.
“Under the current implementation plan, the first cohort of students under the UP-DLP is expected to reach Form Three in the next three years.
“That’s why we do our UP-DLP. Our UP-DLP last year was for Primary Six, and in the next three years the first group will be for Form Three,” he said.
Earlier reports stated that UPSR and PT3 examinations could be back on the cards soon.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the national advisory council would review the matter following feedback on the abolition of the two national exams.
“Any examinations under public debate will be carefully studied with input from research teams and advisory panels.
“Findings from the review will then be submitted to Cabinet for final consideration and decision,” she said during her recent new year’s address.
