SPM 2025: 7,099 CANDIDATES MISS EXAM FOR VARIOUS REASONS, SAYS EDUCATION DG

PUTRAJAYA, March 31 (Bernama) -- A total of 7,099 out of 413,299 candidates for the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination were absent, with various factors contributing to their non-attendance, said Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad.

He said among the most common reasons were employment, relocation overseas, accidents, family issues, health problems, transportation difficulties, death, and being detained by authorities.

“There are many factors. We know that students register for the SPM at the beginning of the year, while the examination takes place in November. Over such a long period, various circumstances can arise,” he said at a press conference announcing the SPM 2025 results here today.

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He said the figure reflects positive progress, with the absentee rate declining to 1.79 per cent compared with 2.1 per cent, or 8,108 candidates, in SPM 2024.

“This demonstrates the effectiveness of various initiatives and interventions implemented by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other stakeholders. The matter will continue to be addressed wisely by the MOE,” he said.

Commenting on the slight decline in the number of candidates obtaining combinations of A+, A and A− grades in SPM 2025, which fell to 13,779 compared with 13,827 in 2024, Mohd Azam said the decrease was not a cause for concern as there was an increase in the number of candidates achieving A+ grades.

“SPM 2025 candidates underwent a long and continuous teaching and learning process, beginning from preschool, followed by six years of primary school and five years of secondary school,” he said.

However, he said that MOE would examine the factors contributing to the shift before taking follow-up action together with the state education departments (JPN), district education offices (PPD) and schools.

Commenting on the performance of SPM 2025 candidates who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since the early years of their secondary schooling, he said that the encouraging results reflect the students’ strong resilience.

“The teaching and learning process over 11 or 12 years has been filled with challenges. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of teachers, who continuously implemented various interventions to develop their students’ potential, these students have demonstrated strong resilience and were able to sit for the SPM 2025 examination,” he said.

He added that various interventions and policy adjustments have been continuously implemented involving the MOE, JPN, PPD and schools to ensure the teaching and learning process remains of high quality.

-- BERNAMA