Photo: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
KAJANG: Parents should continue using the current pin-style Jalur Gemilang badges provided for free, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek
She was responding to parent requests for sewable Jalur Gemilang badges as they were concerned that pin-on versions could pose a risk of injury to students who are not yet adept at handling sharp objects.
“We’ve already given them out for free — the type that you pin on.
“Use those first,” she said on Thursday (April 24) after visiting SMK Convent Kajang for the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) result announcement.
The use of the Jalur Gemilang badge on student uniforms, implemented in stages across all educational institutions under the purview of the Education Ministry, began on Monday (April 21).
The initiative covers government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges, and the Malaysian Teacher Education Institute, with the aim of nurturing patriotism among both students and educators.
Separately, Fadhlina also addressed concerns about Malaysia expanding its elective language offerings in schools to include Mandarin, Tamil and Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese.
She said that all foreign languages offered in schools are introduced as electives, and there is no intention to sideline any language.
“There is German, French and many other languages.
“In vernacular schools, Tamil and Mandarin remain core languages, alongside Bahasa Melayu as the main medium.
“So I don't see any issue because the language we are proposing is merely an alternative or elective,” she said.
Fadhlina also took a moment to share her own child’s achievement for the 2024 SPM examinations.
“I’m also happy my own child received their results today. Alhamdulillah, 8As,” she said.
There has been an overall improvement in the 2024 SPM examinations compared to 2023.
Education director-general Datuk Azman Adnan said the National Average Grade (GPN) for 2024 is 4.49, compared to 4.60 the previous year.
A lower GPN score indicates better performance.
"A total of 355,933 (94%) candidates qualify for the SPM certificate," he said when announcing the SPM 2024 results analysis.
“This is the best performance since 2013 when candidates had to pass the Bahasa Melayu and History papers to qualify for the certificate,” he added.
Azman said 14,179 (3.7%) candidates achieved excellent results, scoring A+, A-, or A in all subjects taken, an increase from 3.1% in 2023.
Candidates can obtain their results from 10am April 24 at their schools, while private candidates may do so at the nearest state education department.
