{
  "id": 16864241,
  "title": "Rural SPM qualification rate rises to 92.9 per cent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/rural-spm-qualification-rate-rises-to-92-9-per-cent",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T07:11:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1565458/rural-spm-qualification-rate-rises-929-cent"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The rate of students receiving the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification in rural areas increased to 92.9 percent last year, up from 92.31 percent in 2024, according to Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh. This represents a narrowing of the urban-rural qualification rate gap by 32.79 percent since 2012. Wong also noted that the gender gap in SPM qualification rates had decreased from 5.95 percent in 2024 to 5.32 percent in 2025. Responding to Datuk Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN–Kinabatangan), Wong spoke about the ministry's plan to support pupils from multidimensionally hardcore-poor households, who are at risk of dropping out of school. The ministry is targeting Year One pupils who need early intervention in reading, writing, and arithmetic (3M) through a targeted program. As of 2025, the number of Year One pupils requiring such interventions had dropped from 76,762 in 2024 to 49,677, and further to 48,636 in 2025. The District Transformation Programme aims to address urban-rural, socioeconomic, and gender gaps by implementing district-specific strategies. PPD officers and experts will collaborate to ensure necessary support is provided to schools and students requiring additional assistance.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification rate among rural candidates rose to 92.9 per cent last year, from 92.31 per cent in 2024.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rural SPM qualification rate rises to 92.9%",
    "Urban-rural qualification gap narrows by 32.79% since 2012",
    "Gender gap in SPM qualification rates decreases to 5.32%"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}