KUALA LUMPUR – The absenteeism rate for the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination has shown a decline, dropping to 2.6% from 3.8% the previous year, according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
In a parliamentary written response, the minister said that 383,685 candidates registered for the 2023 SPM examinations, with 10,160 students (2.6% of the total) not attending.
“Comparatively, in the 2022 examinations, 14,858 candidates (3.8% of the total) were absent. This year’s data shows a decrease from 14,858 absentees last year to 10,160 this year, marking a reduction of 4,698 candidates. This represents a drop from 3.8% to 2.6%, a decline of 1.2%,” she explained.
Among the 10,160 candidates who missed the 2023 exams, 8,676 were from Education Ministry registered schools, 1,263 were private candidates, and 221 were from government agencies, religious high schools, and private schools.
The ministry’s analysis identifies the main reasons for absenteeism as work commitments, family issues, accidents, and illnesses.
To address this, the ministry has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving SPM student attendance. These include enhanced monitoring by state and district education offices, optimised self-development programmes through guidance and counselling services, and educational influencers sharing their knowledge and experience.
Fadhlina also said the ministry is committed to addressing student absenteeism in the SPM examinations.
She was responding to questions from Kulum-Bandar Baharu MP Roslan Hashim, who asked about the ministry’s efforts to combat absenteeism in the SPM exams. – June 26, 2024