Kuala lumpur: The National Average Grade (GPK) gap between urban and rural candidates persists, even as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results show consistent improvement for both groups. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported that in 2022, urban candidates achieved a GPK of 4.73 compared to 5.16 for rural candidates, resulting in a gap of 0.43 points. By 2023, the GPK improved to 4.58 for urban candidates and 5.01 for rural candidates, maintaining the same gap. In 2024, the figures further improved to 4.47 for urban candidates and 4.92 for rural candidates, with the gap widening slightly to 0.45 points.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wong highlighted during a Dewan Rakyat session that the analysis of SPM results by location indicates continuous improvement in average grades for both urban and rural candidates. He emphasized the Ministry of Education's (MOE) commitment to enhancing teacher competency across all locations.

Wong addressed a question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) regarding plans to bolster teacher training in rural areas to close the 0.45-point GPK gap and ensure educational equity. In response, Wong noted that the MOE implemented 587 teacher training programs in 2024, involving 68,126 teachers nationwide, focusing on strengthening pedagogy and improving teaching practices.

He further mentioned that in the current year, the ministry will continue teacher training programs, involving 23,000 teachers in rural areas. The initiatives will focus on four key areas: STEM, the MBMMBI policy, curriculum intervention, and preschool education, in preparation for the 2027 school curriculum.

In response to Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri's (GPS-Betong) supplementary question on teacher placement in rural areas, Wong explained that placements and transfers are based on school needs and applications via the eGTukar system. He also noted that teachers in rural schools receive additional allowances based on the categorization of rural areas into three levels.