MALAYSIA: More than 900 students in Johor did not sit for the 2024 Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) examination.
According to a report by Berita Harian, Johor’s Education and Information Committee chairman, Aznan Tamin, stated that one of the reasons behind this statistic is the perception among some students that they can still secure jobs in Singapore without the SPM qualification.
The allure of high-paying jobs in Singapore, driven by the favorable currency exchange rate, has influenced their decision skip the 2024 SPM, which was held from 2 December 2024 to 6 February 2025.
This situation has raised concerns within the state government about the ongoing issue of school dropouts.
Aznan emphasised the crucial role parents play in ensuring their children complete their schooling by taking the SPM examination.
“Even though the number of students not sitting for the exam has decreased compared to last year, it remains a worrying trend,” he said.
“One of the challenges we face is that Singapore does not require the SPM qualification for hiring our students. Therefore, schools need to engage with parents and students continuously, emphasiSing the importance of SPM as a key determinant of their future prospects,” Aznan added.
He made these comments during a student aid initiative on 11 February.
His remarks followed Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s statement last month that around 10,000 students nationwide had yet to confirm their attendance for the exam.
To address the issue of school dropouts, Mr Aznan highlighted the Johor Talent Development Council, which aims to offer alternative educational pathways through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
