KOTA KINABALU: Parents' financial troubles were one of the reasons many students in Sabah did not sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year, says state Education director Raisin Saidin.
Raisin said there were 1,542 candidates in Sabah who did not sit for the examination and did not receive their certificates.
"After the Covid-19 pandemic, we faced issues of parents' affected income and some students chose to quit school to find jobs to help support their families.
"The Education Department has taken proactive action to minimise the number of candidates not sitting for SPM, or if possible, make it zero.
"This includes identifying students who tend to quit school and providing necessary interventions," he told reporters after the 34th Sabah State Excellent Scholarship Award (ABCNS) presentation ceremony at the Tun Ahmad Raffae Auditorium in the Tun Mustapha Tower here, today.
Raisin was responding after Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who was present at the ceremony, questioned the high number of SPM students who did not take the examination. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/937444/sabah-cm-warns-teacher...)
He added that another reason for the high number were students who refused to return to school after under facing suspension due to disciplinary problems.
Raisin pledged to achieve a better state SPM performance this year, including 100 percent attendance in the examination and a better average grade.
"Sabah's average grade in SPM has been the worst since the country gained independence.
During my administration, I hope to raise average grade to at least 4.99," he said, adding that the Sabah's current average grade is 5.22.
Commenting on the Kota Belud English teacher who was sued for being absent for seven months, Raisin said the incident is a lesson for all and should be taken positively to improve the quality of teaching services.
"I have reminded district education officers and headmasters to pay attention to their teachers' attendance.
"As teachers, they should pay attention to the needs of students."