Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has revealed that nearly half of the students who took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam in 2021 chose not to further their education.
In a written reply to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjung Piai Wee Jeck Seng yesterday (24 May), Fadhlina revealed that 180,680 or 48.74% of SPM students from the 2021 session didn’t continue their studies.
The statistic is based on data from the eProfil Kerjaya Murid (ePKM) and saw a significant increase from a year prior, whereby 115,939 or 35.16% of school leavers from the 2020 session didn’t further their education beyond SPM.
The Education Minister also answered the second half of Tanjung Piai MP’s question in Parliament which asked what are steps being taken by the Education Ministry (MOE) to encourage students to further their studies.
Fadhlina, who is also the Nibong Tebal MP asserted that her ministry is carrying out personal development and career education plans in school.
As such is to increase their awareness towards the importance of education while also equipping them with knowledge, skills and interest for future careers.
Besides that, counselling teachers also play a big part, whereby they have been briefed on the latest career trends so as to advise secondary school students on their possible future career paths.
The Education Minister stressed that her ministry is committed to motivating students to continue their studies for the betterment of Malaysia, saying,
“Other steps taken were through organising career programmes in cooperation with public and private universities, as well as government agencies, with scholarships and student loans also being offered.”
So, what do you guys think of the high statistic of SPM students choosing not to further their studies? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: WATCH: Māsian Teacher Records Heartfelt Video For Her Students Who Have Since Left School
