In a recent analysis by Untuk Malaysia, it has been revealed that a staggering 24.3% of candidates failed Mathematics, while 14.3% failed English in the 2022 SPM exam.
The findings have sparked concerns among Malaysians, who are questioning the learning attitudes and efforts of students. But the alarming statistics don't end there.
According to the NGO's study, 33,906 candidates were unable to obtain their SPM certificates as they failed Bahasa Melayu or Sejarah. Among the 13 subjects, Additional Mathematics recorded the highest failure rate, with 26.2% (29,792 candidates) unable to make the grade.
Further analysis showed that a whopping 160,435 candidates failed at least one subject, indicating a widespread struggle among students. Additionally, 63,569 candidates were absent from the exam, resulting in them not receiving their 2022 SPM certificates.
Netizens have taken to social media to express their opinions on the matter. One user highlighted the importance of putting effort into studying, sharing a personal anecdote about a friend who managed to improve from a failing grade to a D with determination.
The change in the English SPM syllabus has also been a topic of discussion. With the removal of literature and the introduction of the CEFR system, which is known to be more challenging, it's no surprise that some students struggled to meet the expectations set by examiners.
While the reasons behind the Maths failures may be somewhat understandable, netizens emphasize that leaving an entire English paper blank is the only way to fail.
Despite the criticisms and discussions surrounding the examination results, the Education Minister, Fadhlina Sidek, expressed the ministry's preference for highlighting the majority of students who successfully passed the SPM examination.
She stated that the focus on those who passed was to facilitate the ministry's progress and future plans. While acknowledging the need for intervention and support for those who did not perform well, she emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on the next steps.