PETALING JAYA: Although the number of Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) 2023 candidates have increased slightly compared with 2021, it has dropped by around 14,000 compared with a decade ago.

According to media reports, 55,214 candidates sat for the exams in 2013 while last year, around 41,500 took the exams.

This decline could be due to school leavers having more higher education options compared with the 1980s, said educationist and former Universiti Malaya professor Tan Sri Dr T. Marimuthu.

“Now, there are many other opportunities for them whereas previously, the only way they could get into university was through STPM,” he said.

He said the government then introduced the matriculation course and universities also opened up foundation courses as alternative pathways for students to continue their studies.

“Both of these options are only one year, which is shorter than STPM,” said Marimuthu.

Students also have the option of enrolling in various pre-university programmes, he added.

For some students, he said, they will enrol into Form Six as their last resort to enter public university if they fail to get matriculation or foundation.

Agreeing with Marimuthu, Tun Fatimah Form Six College Parent-Teacher Association chairman Mak Chee Kin said many students see Form Six as their “last choice” if they want a spot in public universities, where local students pay subsidised fees.

“It is not a level playing field to get into public universities,” Mak said, adding that qualified matriculation, foundation and diploma students would be prioritised for entry.

Despite the dwindling numbers, Marimuthu said the time spent doing STPM “is not a waste”.

“In the course, both students and teachers have a bit more time for projects, and not just to cover the curriculum and subjects,” he added.

During the award ceremony for the STPM 2023 top achievers yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said there were almost daily discussions on ways to improve and rebrand Form Six so that it would be a top choice of school leavers.

Among the initiatives being done by her ministry is to collaborate with the Higher Education Ministry on a Premium Form Six College, which will begin next year.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/24/fewer-students-sitting-for-stpm