Number of SPM top scorers doubles

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of top scorers in last year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is more than double the figure for 2002.  

A total of 1,152 candidates obtained 1As in all subjects and 6,358 candidates obtained a combination of 1As and 2As, compared with 663 and 2,732 respectively for the previous year.  

Out of the 420,220 candidates who sat for the examination last year, 91.2% qualify for a certificate, compared with 90.6% in 2002. 

Education director-general Datuk Abdul Rafie Mahat said there was an overall improvement in the core subjects with the exception of Moral Education and History, which saw a drop of 1.4 and 4.6 percentage points respectively. 

The other core subjects are Bahasa Melayu, English, Islamic Studies, Mathematics and Science. Among these subjects, English had the lowest percentage of passes at 71.3%. 

“We have already set up external review panels for subjects which show a decline in passes,” Abdul Rafie told a press conference when announcing the SPM and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) results at the Malaysian Examinations Board yesterday. 

Kuala Kubu Baru National Service camp director Michael Yei sharing a happy moment with an elated Lim Siew Gee, who obtained 11 1As and one 2A in last year's SPM. On her left is her camp mate Khairul Ariffin Mohamed, who scored 11 1As. More than 830 trainees at the camp received their SPM results at the training site Saturday. 'We have many high achievers but I'm worried for those who did not do so well. We'll counsel them and encourage them so they don't feel left out,' said Yei.--STARpic by DARRAN TAN.

The SPM 2003 performance report, he added, would be sent to all schools in Malaysia to serve as a guide to help students perform better in future. 

Abdul Rafie said several elective subjects in the Pure Science package such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology – which had 97.9%, 94% and 96.9% in passes respectively – showed improvement. 

On the schools’ performance, Abdul Rafie said 89 schools nationwide had been picked as top schools.  

Schools have been divided into several categories – residential schools, government schools, religious schools, Mara junior science colleges (MRSM) and private schools. 

Kolej Tunku Kurshiah in Seremban is the top residential school, SMK Sultan Ismail in Johor Baru the top government school and Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Pulai Chondong in Machang the top religious school. 

MRSM Langkawi is the best in its category and Kolej Yayasan Saad in Malacca is the top private school.  

 

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