Back in the 90's in Canada it was a PPL requirement and flight test component. Following training and demonstration of competency we would be encouraged to go off solo and practise them. Scary, but good for confidence building. However, just before I took my Canadian PPL it was dropped as a flight test item. That said, it still remained as a flight test item for the Canadian CPL and so I was eventually examined in spinning. I do enjoy spinning, but most a/c I fly these days are not certified for spinning !