SPM 2025: First Cohort Without UPSR, PT3 Proves Interventions Effective -- Fadhlina

KAJANG, March 31 (Bernama) -- The first cohort of students who sat for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) without going through Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3)  examinations proved their resilience when they recorded impressive achievements in SPM last year, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said the generation, which often drew attention for not going through the centralised examination system at the early stage, had successfully overcome various challenges including learning disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember this is a cohort or a generation of children that is always discussed because they have not had any examinations before.

"We take a more positive attitude towards what is happening in the context of national education, especially when these students, with the results, have proven that they are a generation or cohort of children who have a high level of resilience,” she said.

She told reporters after reviewing the SPM 2025 results at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Kajang here today.

Fadhlina said the success also reflected the effectiveness of the interventions and continuous support implemented by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the school.

"They have gone through various tests including COVID-19 and today they have proven that their resilience is very high alongside the support from all the interventions we have done," she said.

She said the experience of facing these challenges has shaped the students' strength to achieve good results in SPM.

"Overall, they have proven that the tests have given them the strength to get very good results today,” she said.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said her party would continue to enhance interventions to address the issue of absenteeism and strengthen the support system for SPM candidates.

She said among the main focuses was ensuring student attendance, providing socio-economic support and strengthening academic assistance through various initiatives including tuition and home visit programmes.

"There are still matters that need to be taken seriously by all levels ... That is why at the state and District Education Departments and schools, we have directed that there should be an accountability approach at the regulatory level to ensure attendance.

"For this year, we have several more steps that we are looking at and identifying to address the attendance issue closely related to SPM," she said.

The 2025 SPM examination results announced today recorded the best achievement with a National Average Grade (GPK) of 4.42 compared to 4.49 in 2024.

Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said 366,435 candidates or 94.29 per cent were eligible to be awarded SPM certificates in 2025 compared to 355,933 candidates in 2024.

He also said 5,032 out of 413,299 candidates did not attend the examination with various factors identified including work, moving abroad, accidents, family problems, health issues, transportation constraints, death and being detained by the authorities.

-- BERNAMA