Family problems among top reasons students skip SPM exams

PARLIAMENT | Family problems are cited as among the main reasons for more than 10,000 teenagers being unable to sit for the 2023 SPM examinations, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

“Based on the Education Ministry’s analysis, among the reasons found were that the candidate was working, having family problems, accident, ill health and others,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

On May 27, Education director-general Azman Adnan said only 373,525 students attended the SPM exams out of the 383,685 registered.

To remedy the situation, Wong said the ministry had been actively organising various intervention programmes - among others - issuing a circular in 2019 that emphasised the need to record students’ attendance in schools.

“In addition, we have also reminded the state and the district education departments to monitor students’ attendance.

“We are also optimising counselling services through student self-development programmes and engaging the services of educational influencers (edufluencers) with expertise in counselling, to share their knowledge and experiences,” he added.

As such, Wong voiced confidence that with continuous monitoring and effort, his ministry would be able to increase students’ attendance for SPM exams.

Social media influence?

On May 29, Bernama reported that 10,000 SPM candidates failed to attend the exams because of social media influencers promoting the idea that success and wealth can be attained without the SPM certificate.

Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairperson Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim highlighted that students without adequate guidance are easily swayed by attractive career paths as influencers, offering income without the need for qualifications.

“These students view becoming influencers as a shortcut to earning money without the need for education or qualifications.

“Some even believe they can forgo SPM because they can earn a decent income as food delivery riders.

“Although skipping the SPM examination after completing Year One through Form Five is a significant loss, for individuals lacking interest, academic inclination and proper guidance, this period merely represents a phase in their life journey,” she was reported as saying.

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