Better STPM results

SELAYANG: Of the 42,854 students who sat for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations last year, only 1,470 (3.43%) managed to pass five subjects.
In disclosing this today, Malaysian Examination Council (MEC) chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin said although there has been some improvement, only 27,342 (63.80%), passed in four subjects, 7,130 in three subjects, 3,563 in two subjects and 2,410 passed just one subject.
Mohd Noh said this is an increase of 0.96% as compared to 2013.
He said 48,615 candidates registered for the STPM examinations in 2014 but only 42,854 sat for it.
"Ten candidates who took five subjects managed to get all As, compared to eight in 2013," he said, adding that the percentage of candidates getting A grades in five or four subjects has increased from 0.90% in 2013 to 0.95% in 2014.
He said the national cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in 2014 increased to 2.62 from 2.57 in 2013.
The same increase was seen in government schools, with an increased to 2.62 from 2.55 in 2013.
"The percentage of candidates scoring a CGPA of 4 in 2014 has increased to 0.91%, or 390 candidates, compared to 0.89%, or 492, candidates in 2013," he said.
"Despite the rise in percentage, the number of candidates receiving a CGPA of 4 dropped due to the decreasing number of candidates (in 2014)," he told a press conference to announce the analysis of the 2014 STPM results at MEC building.
He also pointed out an achievement gap between candidates in urban and rural area, with an average CGPA 2.64 and 2.54 respectively.
Mohd Noh said the achievement last year is overall better compared to the previous year and also pointed out that there are less candidates sitting for STPM as compared to previous years.
Meanwhile, for special-needs candidate Kaveinthran Pulanthran, coming out with flying colours despite having a disability is an extraordinary achievement.
The blind student from SMK St John in Kuala Lumpur, who scored a CGPA of 3.92, is among four candidates named best candidate in the special-needs category.
The other candidates are Mohamad Asri Arshad and Mohamad Firdaus Ngatiman from Maktab Sultan Abu Bakarin and Farah Raihanah Atan from SMK Sultan Ibrahim, both from Johor Baru.
At a ceremony in honour of STPM top achievers, Farah Raihanah said it was very hard for her to remember notes and facts when studying due to her autism.
The Johor-born lass is determined to pursue her degree at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in either language or education studies.
The ceremony also saw two candidates, Najurai Agus and Farah Syahera Chin, topping the list in the orang asli category.
Farah Syahera said she is planning to pursue her studies in education to give back to the orang asli community.