Latest news with #RaisinSaidin
The Star
25-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Two schools in Kinabatangan closed temporarily amid HFMD cases
KOTA KINABALU: The State Education Department has ordered two primary schools in the Kinabatangan district to be temporarily closed following the detection of multiple cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among pupils there. The affected schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kota Kinabatangan and SK Paris 3. Both institutions would remain closed from April 22 until April 29 to facilitate disinfection and containment efforts. Sabah Education Department director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the closure was based on instructions from the Health Ministry. 'This temporary closure is a precautionary step. We are working closely with health authorities to monitor the situation and take immediate action where necessary,' he said. Kinabatangan District Education Officer Dr Dalmansa Tahil said home-based learning (PdPR) would be implemented for both schools throughout the closure. 'There is no need for panic. Teaching will continue online until it is safe to return,' he said. HFMD is a contagious viral infection that commonly affects children aged five and below, though older children can also be infected. It is spread through contact with saliva, nasal discharge, faeces and fluid from blisters of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, painful mouth sores and rashes or blisters on the hands and feet.
Daily Express
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Sabah records overall improvement in results
Published on: Friday, April 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Apr 25, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Raisin showing the 2024 SPM results. 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. 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. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
24-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Early intervention credited for decline in Sabah SPM no-shows
Published on: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Apr 24, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. - AI-generated image KOTA KINABALU: The number of students absent from the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination in Sabah dropped to 905, down from 984 in 2023. Sabah Education Department director Datuk Raisin Saidin attributed the improvement to early intervention efforts and consistent outreach to students at risk of dropping out. He said most absentee cases involved students from low-income (B40) families, especially girls facing family-related issues, with some already married or needing to work. Despite these challenges, schools distributed study materials, made home visits, and provided counselling to encourage students to sit for the exams. Raisin said proactive identification of high-risk students as early as Form 1 and ongoing family engagement remain key to ensuring every student completes their 11 years of basic education. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
24-04-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
580 Sabah 2024 SPM candidates achieve straight A
Raisin announcing the 2024 SPM results. KOTA KINABALU (Apr 24): A total of 580 candidates from Sabah achieved straight A's in all subjects in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, marking a notable improvement from the 484 candidates recorded in 2023. Sabah State Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the increase of 96 candidates represents a 0.24 percent rise in excellent achievers compared to the previous year. However, the number of candidates who obtained at least a credit (Grade C) in all subjects dropped to 3,437 in 2024, compared to 5,046 in 2023 — a decrease of 1,609 candidates. Announcing the results at the State Education Department headquarters on Thursday, Raisin also reported an uptick in students who achieved at least a pass (Grade E) in all subjects, with 13,265 candidates in 2024 compared to 12,710 in 2023, marking an increase of 555 candidates or 1.46 percent. He further noted that a total of 39,550 candidates registered for the 2024 SPM exam, up from 38,800 the previous year. 'A total of 313 examination centres were set up across the state, involving 13,085 examination personnel. SPM 2024 offered 73 subjects across 113 examination papers,' he said. Raisin also said 905 candidates in Sabah did not sit for the 2024 SPM examination, with early marriage and the need to work to support families cited as key reasons. He described the figure as deeply concerning, noting that efforts are underway to identify at-risk students as early as Form 4. 'We found that some students dropped out due to family issues or personal challenges. Many are from B40 households, forced to work to help support their families, while others have married at a young age,' he said. In comparison, 984 candidates failed to sit for the exam in 2023. Raisin said outreach initiatives — including delivering term exam papers directly to homes — helped reduce absenteeism, but more needs to be done. He reaffirmed the department's commitment to keeping students in school and ensuring they complete their education.
The Star
24-04-2025
- General
- The Star
Fewer SPM absentees, better results in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: A targeted intervention initiative by the Sabah Education Department has shown encouraging results, with fewer students missing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination and a consistent improvement in academic performance across the state. Its director, Datuk Raisin Saidin, said that the number of absentees recorded in the 2024 SPM dropped to 905, down from 984 in 2023, representing a reduction of 79 candidates or 0.23%. 'This may seem like a small figure, but even if one student does not sit for the SPM, we are deeply concerned. 'That is why we begin identifying at-risk students as early as Form One and Form Four, particularly those from B40 families or challenging backgrounds,' he said. Under the department's intervention programme, schools carried out proactive outreaches such as home visits, counselling sessions, and distributing examination schedules and flyers to motivate students to sit for their exams, whether in urban or rural areas. 'In some cases, students had to work to support their families or marry early. But thanks to personal engagement and support from schools, we were able to bring many of them back into the system,' he said. Raisin stressed the importance of ensuring every student completes the full 11 years of basic education, six years in primary and the remaining five in secondary school. 'If we start with some 40,000 students in Year One, we want to see the same 40,000 sitting for SPM, unless an unfortunate incident prevents it. That is our commitment.' In flood-prone areas, the department activated Ops Payung, an emergency initiative where essential learning materials were delivered to affected students ahead of their examinations. Initially designed to support SPM and STPM candidates during disasters, Ops Payung will now be extended to non-exam periods to ensure continuous learning. 'With the weather being so unpredictable, we cannot afford to let our students fall behind. Ops Payung will be activated even during regular school breaks,' said Raisin. On academic performance, Raisin reported steady progress over the past three years, with the state's average grade improving from 5.35 in 2021 to 5.22 in 2022, 5.09 in 2023, and 5.00 in 2024. The number of students eligible for the SPM certificate also rose, from 38,800 in 2023 to 39,500 in 2024, an increase of 750 candidates. Of those, 38,053 were new candidates who sat for at least six subjects, while private school students made up 1,185, and 2,425 were private candidates. 'The performance gap between urban and rural schools remains, but both areas have shown encouraging progress,' he said. Urban students recorded a 0.10-point improvement, scoring an average of 4.65 in 2024 compared to 4.75 in 2023. Rural candidates also improved, achieving 5.21 points in 2024, up from 5.28 the year before. The number of candidates scoring straight A+, A or A- in all subjects also increased from 484 (1.38%) in 2023 to 580 (1.65%) in 2024. Of the 73 subjects assessed, seven maintained the same performance, 38 saw improvement, while 28 registered a decline. Five of the subjects were introduced under new formats last year. 'We are particularly concerned with the drop in two subjects, Moral Education and History, which fell by 0.04 and 5.16 points respectively,' said Raisin. 'We are now reviewing teaching techniques, especially for History, a compulsory pass subject. The issue is not a lack of student interest, but finding more effective teaching methods.' While congratulating high achievers, Raisin also encouraged students who did not meet expectations to persevere. 'This is only the beginning. Never give up, continue striving for your dreams. Every step forward is a step towards greater success,' he said.
