Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) said reinstating mandatory academic examinations could help students focus on their studies while reducing the influence of video games and harmful social media content.

Ramkarpal, who noted that Malaysia abolished PT3 in 2022 and UPSR in 2021, asked whether there was any correlation between the absence of these examinations and the rise in bullying and violence in schools.

Citing figures from the Student Discipline Record System, he said cases of bullying and school violence had surged from 3,883 in 2022 to 7,681 in 2024.

“Many have expressed concern over this sharp increase, especially following high-profile incidents such as the recent murder of 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4),” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Will the ministry conduct a study to determine whether the lack of structured assessments has contributed to this worrying trend?”

He said reintroducing examinations could not only raise academic standards but also help students remain disciplined and focused.

“This could reduce excessive screen time and online gaming, thereby limiting exposure to harmful online content,” he said, citing studies linking aggressive online games to violent behaviour among youths.

Ramkarpal noted that while it might not be practical to completely ban online games, the ministry could consider structured alternatives, such as mandatory co-curricular activities and discipline-based programmes, to help students spend their time more productively.