THE Education Ministry (MOE) is studying possible factors for absenteeism among Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said this will let the MOE perform appropriate interventions to ensure better attendance in the future.

“Whether the matter is a concern depends on our findings. This is because we have various candidates; they are not only under the MOE schools, but also private candidates and such,” she said when met after visiting SMJK Keat Hwa in Alor Setar today.

She said this when asked to comment on a media report that said 14,858, or 3.8% of the 388,832 candidates registered for the 2022 SPM, did not sit the exam.

She said MOE’s analysis showed an increase in the number of SPM candidates who were absent for the 2022 SPM compared with the previous year.

Fadhlina also said more than 90% of candidates who sat the SPM last year obtained their certificates, compared with only 80% the previous year.

MOE’s aim is to further increase the number of candidates who obtain the certificate, she said.

When asked about the proposal to improve the History syllabus, Fadhlina said every subject taught in schools has its own cycle.

“The school curriculum is monitored by experts… As for now, it will remain as is until the cycle ends and when the time comes, the ministry will look into all subjects, not only History,” she said. – Bernama, June 11, 2023.