Parental Awareness Drives Surge In Rural SPM Performance
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Increased awareness among parents regarding the importance of education has been identified as a key catalyst for the surge in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) performance across rural schools in Sarawak.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah noted a significant shift compared with the 1970s and 1980s, with more rural students now achieving excellent results and progressing to higher education.
According to him, this success is not coincidental but is the result of a change in parental attitudes toward prioritising their children's studies.
“In the past, I dare say that when I first became a representative, during the ambal (razor clam) harvesting season, many coastal schools were found empty because students were taken by their parents to seek a livelihood, as the importance of education had not yet been truly emphasised.
“However, today, that situation no longer occurs. This clearly shows a mindset shift within the community, thanks to the continuous efforts of various parties including government leadership, parents, and educators who consistently stress that knowledge is the vital foundation for building the future,” he explained.
He said this when met by the media during his visit to the 2026 Kota Samarahan Aidilfitri Open House at the Samarahan Civic Centre on Saturday.
During the event, Dato Sri Abdul Karim and the Deputy Minister for Rural and Regional Development, who is also the Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament, Datuk Rubiah Wang, presented incentives to 20 high-achieving SPM students from four schools in the area.
The Asajaya Assemblyman added that such incentives serve as additional motivation for students. He emphasised that support and recognition are provided regardless of background, whether Malay, Dayak, Iban, or Chinese.
Datuk Rubiah informed that the School Average Grade (GPS) in the area showed a marked improvement from 5.49 to 5.18, with Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud recording a 100 per cent pass rate.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly and Muara Tuang Assemblyman Dato Idris Buang, and Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang. — UKASnews
