KOTA KINABALU: Students getting married or earning a living are among some of the reasons 984 candidates in Sabah did not sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination in 2023.
"There are various factors, Some are already working, some are married and some might have been ill or have passed away, among the reasons," said Sabah Education Department deputy director Nurani Fauziah Derin.
She added that the figure also includes students who dropped out of school.
However, she said the overall number 984 of absentees in 2023 was lower compared to 1,564 in 2022.
Nurani Fauziah said they would continue to help and encourage students who were "less interested" in going to school.
"There are still (dropouts), but fewer.
"It is quite worrying because these students need an education for whatever work they will undertake in the future," she told reporters when announcing the 2023 SPM exam results here on Monday (May 27).
Nurani Fauziah, who read the results on behalf of Sabah State Education Department (JPNS) director Datuk Raisin Saidin, said a total of 38,800 candidates registered for the 2023 SPM examination but only 34,142 candidates attended and sat for at least one subject.
On the state's SPM results, a total of 484 candidates obtained As in all subjects compared to 344 candidates in 2022.
"The number of candidates who obtained excellent results showed an increase of 140 candidates.
"The achievement of candidates for the 2023 SPM, with a state average grade index (GPN) of 5.09 points is better than the 5.22 in 2022," she said.
Based on the GPN, the achievement of urban candidates improved by 0.10 points to 5.28 points in 2023 compared to 5.38 points in 2022.
"The number shows that the results of urban candidates are better. The achievement of rural candidates also improved by 0.20 points to 4.75 points in 2023 compared to 4.95in 2022.
"This also shows that rural candidates are getting better," he added.
