Cash aid alone won't cut SPM absenteeism, says economist

Free Malaysia Today

18-05-2025

Education director-general Azman Adnan says nearly 58% of the 6,246 students who missed the 2024 SPM did so to join the workforce.
PETALING JAYA : Cash aid programmes tied to school attendance may help reduce SPM absenteeism, especially among students facing financial hardship, but their success hinges on integration into a broader, long-term strategy, says an economist.
Juita Mohamad, a consultant with UN Trade & Development, cautioned that such initiatives must not be one-off efforts without oversight.
'In Budget 2022, there was an allocation of up to RM2,500 for vulnerable households, but the size and target groups of these allocations may change annually depending on the government's spending priorities.
'Without continuity and proper monitoring, it would be difficult to assess which measures are effective and what amount is appropriate to provide,' she told FMT.
Juita, an economist, also cautioned that financial assistance alone may not directly improve academic performance, particularly if students are enticed by the high earnings offered by the gig economy.
Malaysia lacks official data on the income distribution among gig workers due to the difficulty in tracking such figures. However, media reports suggest that full-time delivery workers in Malaysia typically earn upwards of RM2,000 per month.
Juita said the education system must do more to motivate students to complete their studies, including by making the curricula more engaging and fostering critical thinking.
SPM absenteeism has declined in recent years. However, the high number of students who opt not to sit for the examination gives cause for concern.
In 2023, the education ministry reported that 10,160 students did not sit for the examination, down from 14,858 in the preceding year.
Last month, education director-general Azman Adnan revealed that nearly 58% of the 6,246 students who missed the 2024 sitting did so to enter the workforce.
Others cited financial hardship, health problems, family issues and lifestyle choices.
'We need to understand the causes and employ the right measures. If the remedies do not match the causes, then they will not solve the issue,' said Juita.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Andrew Mohanraj echoed similar views, noting that a growing number of students are questioning the value of traditional qualifications like SPM when job opportunities remain limited even for graduates.
'There is growing disillusionment with the education system. The idea of spending years in school with no clear path to financial security feels increasingly out of touch for some youth,' he said.
Meanwhile, J Anasuya of the University of Cyberjaya said many 17-year-olds may not fully grasp the long-term value of the SPM.
'They might not realise how crucial it is to have some kind of score in SPM. It serves as a basic requirement for employment and future opportunities.'