Rising SPM absentees, a threat to national education?

The recent SPM statistics in Malaysia, where approximately 15,000 students have failed to sit for the exam viewed as a concerning issue. This situation highlights several potential problems in the education system.

Insight:

  • The conversations on the recent SPM results garnered around 9.6K with 886.8K social interactions that potentially reached 14M users.
  • The digital sphere was abuzz with conversations as people expressed their opinions on the increasing number of students absent from taking the SPM examination. Many highlighted that this could be attributed to them being part of a lost generation due to the Covid-19 era, left behind when schools closed.
  • In addition, people felt that the current education syllabus and curriculums had become outdated, leading to a decline in students’ interest in their studies. The widespread internet access and the emergence of numerous social media influencers have indirectly influenced students towards an “imaginary standard of living,” causing them to undervalue education and focus solely on monetary gains. Consequently, they reject tertiary education and prefer to participate in the gig economy for quick cash.
  • On the other hand, Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to shift blame onto the former Education Minister did not sit well with the public. Many criticized the Prime Minister for failing to provide concrete actions and solutions to address the issue.

Top online conversations on SPM 2022