Better results for Penang

PENANG has seen an improvement in STPM results, recording an increase in the average Grade Point System (GPS).

State education director Datuk Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin said the state registered an average GPS of 2.66 last year, an increase of 0.13 from 2012.

“The number of students achieving four principles, which is the foundation to enter university, has also increased to 2,088 compared to 1,517 in 2012,” he said at a press conference in SMJK (C) Jit Sin.

A total of 3,637 students took the exam last year and the passing rate was 97.28%.

He added that out of the 23 subjects, only three — Bahasa Tamil, English Literature and Visual Arts — showed a drop in results.

“However, the three are elective subjects,” he said.

SMJK(C) Jit Sin registered the highest number of students in the state with a four-flat result (19 students), followed by SMJK (C) Chung Ling with 14.

[ Ahmad Tarmizi handing over a result slip to Raymond Tan Wei Yi at SMKJ(C) Jit Sin. ]

In Alor Setar, Kedah Education Department director Datuk Mansor Lat said a total of 4,175 students took the exam last year.

“The state recorded a passing rate of 98.22%, compared to 93.79% in 2012, which is an improvement of more than 4%,” said Mansor.

“A total of 47 schools in the state achieved a passing percentage which is above the national average.”