Kuala Lumpur: More than half, or 57.8 percent, of 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates did not sit for the examination, with work cited as the main reason. Education director-general Datuk Azman Adnan highlighted that family financial pressure, lifestyle choices, and other factors were among the reasons for candidates opting to work instead of taking the exam.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a review by the Ministry of Education (MoE) revealed additional contributing factors such as family-related issues, accounting for 35.5 percent, health problems at 4.7 percent, and several more. Azman noted that night-shift work was also a significant factor, contributing to an increase in candidates who failed all subjects, rising from 1,467 in 2023 to 1,789 in 2024.
‘One of the causes behind this failure is the lack of focus on learning, as many of these students work night shifts, especially those in urban areas,’ Azman stated during a press conference to announce the 2024 SPM results. He further explained that unresolved literacy and numeracy issues, along with insufficient support in the home learning environment, were additional factors leading to the rise in failure rates.
Azman emphasized that the Education Ministry is reviewing its approach for this group ahead of the 2025 SPM. The ministry plans to strengthen programs aimed at developing students’ analytical abilities, expand targeted academic support initiatives, and activate partnerships with NGOs and community agencies. ‘These extended interventions are vital to prevent recurring academic failure among students who require special assistance. We will take this opportunity to focus on early preparation for the 2025 SPM,’ he added.
Additionally, Azman mentioned that the number of absentees in the 2024 SPM decreased to 6,246 from 8,676 the previous year. The ministry remains committed to ensuring full candidate attendance. ‘If we look at the trend over the past three years, there has been a significant drop in the number of candidates who did not sit for the exam. This is a positive development, and we will continue to step up efforts to bring this number down to zero,’ he concluded.