Over 8,000 SPM Candidates Absent from Written Exams – KPM Reveals Main Reasons

Source: Capital post

More than 8,000 SPM 2024 candidates have been reported absent from all written exam papers as of February 6, according to data released by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM). Out of this total, 6,231 candidates are from schools under KPM’s administration, as reported by Sinar Harian.

According to KPM, an analysis from the School Absenteeism Management Application During Examinations found several main reasons why students did not attend their SPM exams. These include working, family problems, health issues, passing away, and moving abroad. The issue of absenteeism during SPM is not new, but the rising number of missing candidates this year has raised concerns.

To tackle this issue, KPM has implemented several measures, including monitoring students’ daily attendance through the Student Attendance System (eKehadiran) within the Student Database Application (APDM). This system helps schools identify students at risk of skipping exams and take early intervention measures.

Additionally, KPM has activated the SPM At-Risk Student Intervention Task Force at all levels to track students in danger of dropping out. A dashboard monitoring system has also been introduced to keep track of candidates’ attendance and implement appropriate intervention strategies.

KPM has also conducted focused programs such as the Ziarah Cakna Program, parental consultation sessions, collaborations with Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), and engagement with the community and private sector to ensure students attend their exams.

For the 2025 SPM cohort, KPM has started early identification of at-risk students while they are in Form 4 to ensure they are present for the exam next year.

Last year, student absenteeism during SPM also gained attention when teachers had to personally call students to ensure they attended the exam, particularly for the History paper. A viral video at the time showed teachers going through student lists and calling those who had yet to show up at the exam hall. One teacher in the video reminded students not to be late as multiple procedures needed to be completed before they were allowed to enter the exam hall.

The teacher also urged students not to deliberately skip important exams, as it not only harms their future but also causes inconvenience to school staff who are responsible for ensuring a smooth examination process.

This issue raises questions about the growing trend of absenteeism among SPM candidates. Are economic pressures, academic stress, or changes in students’ lifestyles the main factors? With the various efforts by KPM, will the number of absentees decrease in the coming years?