Bersama calls for independent panel to review Malaysia’s education policies

The 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) results have revealed that Malaysian students' performance in mathematics, reading, and science has remained below its 2018 levels, according to Bersama policy spokesman Sum Dek Joe. The results showed a decline in mathematics scores from 440 points in 2018 to 397 points in 2025, while reading scores dropped from 415 to 393 and science from 438 to 419.

Sum Dek Joe called for the establishment of an independent panel to review Malaysia's education policies and identify the reasons why higher government spending has not led to improved student learning outcomes. The panel should comprise education researchers, assessment experts, experienced teachers, and public finance specialists, and should be granted access to education ministry data.

Its task would be to determine which policies have been successful, which have failed, and why learning targets have not been met. Sum Dek Joe also demanded that the panel submit its findings and recommendations to Parliament within six months, along with interim learning targets, implementation responsibilities, and funding requirements.

Annual progress reports should be tabled in Parliament to ensure the reforms are properly monitored. Sum Dek Joe emphasized that Malaysia's children cannot afford unfulfilled promises. The Pisa assessment, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is a triennial survey of 15-year-old students evaluating their acquisition of essential knowledge and skills for participating in society.