Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded a notable improvement in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results, with an upward trend in overall performance based on candidates’ achievements as State Average Grade (GPN) and subjects’ performance as Subject Average Grade (GPMP).
All average grade values range from 0.00 to 9.00, with lower values indicating better achievement or performance.
A total of 39,550 students registered for the 2024 SPM examination, an increase of 750 candidates (1.89pc) compared to 38,800 students who sat for the examination in 2023.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Sabah Education Department Director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the overall performance showed a positive progress with a lower GPN index at 5.00, an improvement from 5.09 in 2023.
He said this downward trend in GPN, observed from 2021 to 2024, indicates consistent enhancement in student achievement over the years.
“The overall GPN for Sabah SPM students improved from 5.35 points in 2021 to 5.22 in 2022 and further dropped to 5.09 in 2023, and down to 5.00 in 2024. This steady progression reflects increasing quality of education.
“The number of candidates who qualified for the 2024 SPM certificate — by passing key subjects such as Bahasa Melayu and History — also increased, with 32,501 candidates or a 94.68pc passing rate in 2024, an increase of 403 students or a 1.24pc improvement in comparison to 32,098 candidates or 94.01pc in 2023,.
“The upward trend is seen as a positive indicator of the effectiveness of educational initiatives and continued support for students across the State,” he said when announcing the 2024 SPM results at the Sabah Education Department office at Wisma Pendidikan, here, Thursday.
He said these figures demonstrate not only the overall improvement of academic performance, but depicting that more students are meeting the minimum criteria to secure their certificates.
“The number of SPM candidates who achieved excellent results for Grades A+, A and A- in all subjects increased from 484 candidates (1.38pc) in 2023 to 580 candidates (1.65pc) in 2024 — an increase of 96 candidates (0.24pc).
“While those who obtained at least a credit or Grade C in all subjects registered 3,437 candidates (9.75pc) in SPM 2024, compared to 5,046 candidates (14.37pc) in 2023, which represents a decrease of 1,609 candidates (4.62pc).
“More candidates obtained at least a pass or Grade E in all subjects taken in 2024 with 13,265 candidates (37.64pc), compared to 12,710 candidates (36.18pc) in 2023.
This reflects an increase of 555 candidates (1.46pc) passing over the previous year,” Raisin said.
He said both urban and rural SPM candidates in the State showed parallel improvement in the 2024 results.
“Both urban and rural students in Sabah show encouraging progress in the 2024 SPM examination, with performance rising steadily across the board.
“So, while there is still a gap between urban and rural performance, we’re encouraged by the fact that both groups are showing positive progress. Urban students are performing better, and rural students are also improving.
“This can be reflected from GPN performance whereby In 2023, the GPN for urban candidates scored 4.75 points and this figure lowered to 4.65 points in SPM 2024, while those in rural areas also show a reduction in the points from 5.28 points (2023) to 5.21 in 2024,” he said.
While a detailed analysis on the 2024 SPM performance of flood-impacted schools in Sabah is still pending, Raisin said early indicators suggested that the schools also showed improvement in their 2024 SPM results.
He said the overall rise in the GPN of 2024 SPM likely reflects positive developments at both school and district levels.
“We have not received a specific breakdown of results for flood-affected schools, but based on the general upward trend in performance, it’s reasonable to believe these schools have also seen gains.
“The implementation of Ops Payung — an emergency initiative rolled out during the flood period to supply education materials to affected students — played a crucial role in ensuring continued access to learning materials and support for students,” he said.
