Kuala Lumpur: The Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) must take proactive steps to address the issue of student dropouts in the country, said the Prime Minister’s political secretary, Datuk Azman Abidin.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azman suggested one effective approach would be conducting door-to-door visits with community leaders to identify students at risk of dropping out. He highlighted that student dropouts are not confined to the Federal Territory but are a nationwide issue, influenced by social problems, parental issues, and family circumstances that make education seem unimportant to some students.
Azman expressed hope that GPMS can ensure all students complete their education up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level, as some students drop out as early as Form 1 or Form 3. He also mentioned that GPMS could assist underprivileged families by working with the Education Ministry and school teachers to provide the necessary aid to prevent students from dropping out before their SPM exams.
Meanwhile, National GPMS Alumni president Datuk Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad emphasized that addressing education dropout rates is a key focus of their efforts. This includes raising student awareness about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities. He mentioned that some students struggle academically or lack interest in learning, and GPMS plans to work closely with school counselors to implement a targeted approach that highlights the importance of TVET in shaping students’ futures. Additionally, they aim to educate parents on the benefits of TVET.
It was reported that 10,000 students were absent for the Bahasa Melayu paper in the 2024 SPM examination. On January 2, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek revealed that around 10,000 students had yet to confirm their attendance for the upcoming 2024 SPM exams.
Earlier at the event, 120 senior citizens, underprivileged individuals, persons with disabilities, and educators needing emergency assistance received contributions from GPMS through a strategic collaboration with Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan.