Kuala lumpur: A total of 7,099 out of 413,299 candidates for the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination were absent, with various factors contributing to their non-attendance, said Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the reasons for absence included employment, relocation overseas, accidents, family issues, health problems, transportation difficulties, death, and being detained by authorities. Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad explained that students register for the SPM at the beginning of the year, while the examination takes place in November, allowing for numerous circumstances to arise over such a long period. He noted that the absentee rate had declined to 1.79 percent in 2025 compared to 2.1 percent in 2024, reflecting positive progress.

The director-general emphasized that the reduction in absenteeism demonstrates the effectiveness of various initiatives and interventions by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other stakeholders. He assured that the matter would continue to be addressed by the MOE.

On the academic front, the number of candidates obtaining combinations of A+, A, and A- grades in SPM 2025 slightly decreased to 13,779 from 13,827 in 2024. However, Mohd Azam mentioned that the increase in A+ grades was a positive sign, and the MOE would examine the contributing factors before taking further action with state education departments, district education offices, and schools.

Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, Mohd Azam highlighted the encouraging results of SPM 2025 candidates. He attributed their strong resilience to the dedication of teachers and continuous interventions to develop students' potential. The MOE, along with other educational bodies, has implemented various interventions and policy adjustments to ensure a high-quality teaching and learning process.