Over 6,000 candidates who did not sit for SPM from MOE schools
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 8,076 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates did not sit for all written papers – an outcome the Education Ministry views with concern.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (pic) said based on the ministry’s data up to Feb 6, 6,231 of the candidates were from schools under the Education Ministry.
The written test for the exam was held from Jan 2 to Feb 6.
“The official attendance data for the 2024 SPM examination will only be released on the day the results are announced,” she said in reply to Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
The MP wanted the minister to explain the main reasons for over 10,000 candidates being absent from the Bahasa Melayu paper.
He also wanted to know what measures would be taken to address the issue.
Fadhlina said according to an analysis from the School Attendance Management Application, the main reasons for the absenteeism included family issues, health problems and overseas relocation.
She said the ministry implemented several measures, including monitoring daily attendance through the Student Attendance System, or eKehadiran, within the Student Database Application to facilitate intervention at the school level.
A task force has also been activated at all levels, with monitoring through a dashboard system to ensure student attendance and optimise intervention strategies, she added.
Aside from that, she said National Performance Dialogues had been held to discuss issues related to SPM attendance and report on targeted interventions carried out at the state education departments, district education offices and schools.
“This effort has contributed to an improvement in SPM candidate attendance,” she said.
Fadhlina said the ministry also conducted various activities such as the Ziarah Cakna Programme, parental consultation sessions, partnerships with parent-teacher associations and collaboration with community and the private sector.
“These collective efforts reflect the commitment of all parties involved. Furthermore, reminders have been issued to monitor student attendance for school sessions and the SPM exam.”
Fadhlina assured that the ministry also works closely with various agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency, Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, MetMalaysia, Welfare Department, Health Ministry and state education departments to ensure the smooth administration of public examinations, particularly during the monsoon season and flood disasters.
“To ensure continuous improvement in student attendance during SPM examinations, the ministry has taken early steps to identify those at-risk among Form 4 students, to ensure they attend the 2025 SPM 2025 exam.
“This early detection will allow schools to plan and implement intervention measures in advance,” she said.
Saying the issue is one of shared responsibility, Fadhlina urged parents to help ensure their children attend the examination.
“The wider community also has a duty to raise awareness among youth on the importance of the SPM certificate for their future,” she said.
Candidates who do not show up for the subject paper receive a “T” in the results slip.
They are considered to have failed the subject if they did not sit for any of the subject’s papers.
Candidates will also not receive their SPM certificates if they were absent for the core subject papers, namely Bahasa Melayu and History.
