Sarawak honours top SPM performers, including four with special needs

KUCHING (April 2): A total of 108 outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 students were celebrated at the SPM 2025 Appreciation Ceremony with Petronas held at the Sarawak State Education Department Auditorium here on Thursday, including four candidates with special needs.

Sarawak Education Director Omar Mahli said the ceremony served as a platform to recognise the students’ outstanding achievements while also acknowledging the role of teachers and parents in ensuring the candidates’ success.

He noted that the SPM 2025 results marked a historic milestone, with Sarawak recording its best-ever State Average Grade (GPN) of 4.79, reflecting the continued improvement in the quality of education in the state.

“Additionally, the number of candidates who obtained straight A’s in all subjects increased to 853 compared with the previous year,” Omar said in his speech.

According to him, the SPM 2025 cohort was also unique as they did not sit for public examinations such as UPSR and PT3 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, yet demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in facing the examination.

Omar added that the achievement was the result of strong support from various parties, including educators, parents and relevant agencies who remained committed to helping candidates excel.

At the same event, four candidates with special needs were also honoured, representing categories such as visual impairment (blind and low vision), hearing impairment and physical disability ― proving that limitations are not barriers to success.

Omar also encouraged students to seize opportunities to pursue higher education by taking advantage of various education sponsorship offers from organisations such as Petronas, Yayasan Sarawak, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Public Service Department (JPA) and other agencies.

He said continued efforts by all parties must be strengthened to ensure the momentum of educational excellence in Sarawak can be maintained and further enhanced.

The ceremony also recognised schools that achieved a 100 per cent certificate eligibility rate, as well as those that consistently improved their School Average Grade (GPS) over a four-year period.

In concluding his speech, he expressed appreciation to all parties, including the Sarawak State Education Department, District Education Offices and strategic partners such as Petronas for their support in making the programme a success.

Also present were Deputy Director of the District Education Office Planning and Management Sector Dr Abang Adam Abang Deli, Petronas General Manager for Education Sponsorship, Programme Management and TVET Excellence Ahmad Munir Akram Ahmad Faiz, Deputy Director of the Student Development Sector Zamzaitul Akmal Hisham Ahmad, Senior Assistant Director of the Assessment and Examination Sector Bostami Amat, and Petronas Sarawak Senior Manager Nor Azam Abang Zawawie.