01/04/2026

WEDNESDAY | APR 1, 2026

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Strongest SPM performance in five years

KAJANG: Students who sat for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) without taking the traditional UPSR and PT3 exams have shown remarkable resilience, producing impressive results last year, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She added that this pioneering cohort, often in the spotlight for bypassing Malaysia’s centralised examination system at the primary and lower secondary levels, successfully navigated multiple challenges, including learning disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “This is a generation that has always been talked about because they did not sit for any formal examinations previously. Yet, they have shown through their results that they are highly resilient,” she said after reviewing the SPM 2025 outcomes at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Kajang yesterday. She said the achievement also reflected the effectiveness of the Education Ministry and schools’ ongoing interventions and support programmes. “They have faced numerous challenges, including the pandemic, and today their results demonstrate the strength and resilience fostered through the support and initiatives we implemented,” she added. Fadhlina emphasised that the trials these students experienced had shaped their determination and PUTRAJAYA: The 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results marked the strongest performance in five years, with more students qualifying for certificates, fewer absentees and broad-based improvements across key indicators. Education Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said 366,435 candidates, or 94.29%, qualified for the SPM certificate this time, up from 355,933 (94.01%) previously. Among candidates from public schools, 329,272 (94.51%) obtained the certificate, compared with 319,016 (94.20%) previously. A total of 413,299 candidates registered for the examination at 3,350 centres nationwide, including 395,740 new candidates who sat for at least six subjects. “In terms of top performers, 376 candidates obtained A+ in all subjects, an increase of 24 from 352 in 2024. “However, the number of candidates achieving excellent results (A+, A and A-) declined slightly to 13,779 (3.55%), compared with 13,827 (3.65%) last year,” he said. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Inclusive system improving outcome of ‘special’ groups PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s push for a more inclusive education system is beginning to show results, with the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination recording improved outcomes among students with special needs and marginalised groups, alongside a narrowing urban-rural gap. Education Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the gains reflect sustained efforts by the Education Ministry to ensure no student is left behind. “Students with special educational needs posted improved outcomes, with 1,516 out of 1,878 candidates (80.72%) qualifying for the certificate, up from 1,377 (78.37%) in 2024,” he said when announcing the results yesterday. Among the standout improvements were candidates from Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, where all 10 students who sat for the examination qualified for the SPM certificate, compared with just two the previous year. “This marks an increase of eight candidates and demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted interventions ,” he said. Performance among Orang Asli candidates under the Special Comprehensive Model School 11 programme also strengthened, both in participation and achievement. Five Orang Asli candidates achieved straight As, while 133 obtained at least a credit and 609 secured passes. Candidates from Integrity Schools and Henry Gurney institutions also recorded improved outcomes, with 99 sitting for the examination compared to 94 last year. The urban-rural achievement gap also narrowed slightly, with urban candidates recording a grade point average of 4.40, while rural candidates improved to 4.81. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI “The Education Ministry, state education departments and district education offices have worked closely to implement coordinated interventions and improve education delivery. unforeseen circumstances can arise,” he said. He added that the ministry would continue addressing these challenges through sustained intervention measures. Mohd Azam said the 2025 cohort – among the earliest groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at secondary school level – demonstrated notable resilience. He said the ministry implemented continuous interventions and policy adjustments throughout their schooling years to support learning recovery.

various intervention programmes, including outreach visits to students’ homes. “Teachers actively track down students and provide guidance and advice to both parents and candidates to ensure they attend the examination. He said common reasons for absenteeism include students entering the workforce, relocating overseas, involvement in accidents, family-related issues, health problems, transport difficulties and deaths. “There are also cases involving students being detained by authorities. “SPM registration begins early in the year, while the examination is held towards the end of the year. “Within that long gap, many

o More candidates qualify for certificates this year with 376 obtaining A+ in all subjects, an increase from 352 in 2024: Education DG

since 2021. Absenteeism also improved, with 7,099 candidates (1.79%) absent, down from 8,108 (2.10%) last year. Among public school candidates, absenteeism fell to 5,032 (1.42%) from 6,246 in 2024. Mohd Azam said absenteeism persists each year due to various factors despite continuous intervention efforts by the ministry. “Together with state education departments, district education offices and schools, we carry out

Mohd Azam added that the number of candidates obtaining credits (grade C) rose significantly to 92,347 (23.76%), an increase of 6,307 candidates, while those passing with at least a grade E also increased to 141,728 (36.47%). “The number of candidates recording all-fail results dropped to 1,631 (0.42%) in 2025, compared with 1,789 (0.47%) in 2024.” He said the national average grade improved to 4.42 from 4.49 in 2024, marking the best performance

Students without UPSR, PT3 experience ‘highly resilient’

Fadhlina meeting with SPM candidates at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Kajang yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

“There are still issues that require serious attention at every level. That is why state and district education departments, as well as schools, have been directed to adopt an accountability approach to monitor attendance closely.”

targeting absenteeism. Key areas of focus include improving student attendance, providing socio-economic support and enhancing academic assistance through tuition and home-visit programmes.

ability to achieve strong results. “Overall, they have proven that overcoming these tests has strengthened them to perform exceptionally well in SPM,” she said. She said the ministry would continue to strengthen interventions

63 out of 95 subjects record better grades, STEM registers decline PUTRAJAYA: Nearly two-thirds of subjects in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) saw improved performance, even as several core and STEM areas registered slight declines. Education Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said 63 out of 95 subjects recorded better grades based on the Subject Performance Grade, while 29 declined and three remained unchanged compared with 2024. Performance among the seven core subjects was mixed, with three showing gains and four recording declines. Islamic Studies led the improvement, rising 0.79 points to 3.20 from 3.99 in 2024, while Bahasa Melayu dipped slightly by 0.13 points. In STEM electives, covering Pure Science and Additional Mathematics, performance generally fell between 0.02 and 0.15 points. However, among 12 applied science and engineering subjects, eight recorded improvements. “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies posted the highest increase, jumping 1.64 points to 2.01 from 3.65 last year.” Civil Engineering Studies fell by 0.25 points, while Computer Science held steady at 3.63. Of the 22 vocational STEM subjects, 16 improved, five declined and one remained unchanged. In the Humanities and Applied Literature category, 11 of 12 subjects improved. Entrepreneurship Studies

led the gains with 0.94 points, while Principles of Accounting saw a minor decline of 0.07 points. For Islamic Studies electives, nine of 13 subjects improved, with Al-Syariah recording the strongest gain of 1.04 points. Among language electives, five of seven subjects improved, with Kadazandusun Language gaining 0.30 points, while Semai Language fell by 0.66 points. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI