KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) passing rate gap between rural and urban schools continues to improve with the state recording 0.16% in 2021 compared with 0.53% in 2020.

       State Education Department director Tah Niah Jaman said the statewide passing rate however slightly dipped to 89.76% compared with 91.12% of urban students and 90.59% of rural students.

       ALSO READ: SPM 2021: Slight dip in national average grade

       The state’s National Average Grade (GPN) 5.35 compared to 5.34 in 2020, she said on Thursday (June 16).

       She said a total of 253 candidates got a combination of A+, A and A compared with 241 in 2020.

       ALSO READ: SPM 2021 results: 30 students in Johor score straight A+'s

       “The 10 best performing schools are SM Sains Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, SMK Agama Kota Kinabalu, SMK Agama Mohamad Ali, Ranau, SMK Agama Tun Ahmadshah Kota Kinabalu, SM Sains Lahad Datu, SMK St Michael Penampang, SM Islamiah Tawau, SMK Agama Tun Juhar Sandakan, SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Papar and SMK Agama Kimanis, Papar.

       “A total of six urban schools and five rural schools also recorded the most improvements,” she said during the announcement of the SPM results for the state here.

       ALSO READ: 17 SPM students scored straight A+ in Penang

       Tah Niah said the six urban schools were SM Islamiah Tawau, SMK Elopura Sandakan, SMK Sung Siew Sandakan, SMK Kolombong Kota Kinabalu, SMK Tawau II and SMK Agama Tun Juhar Sandakan.

       The rural schools are SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Papar, SMK St James Tenghilan Tuaran, SMK Wakuba Tawau, SMK Gum Gum Sandakan and SMK Taun Gusi, Kota Belud.

       ALSO READ: SPM: Pleasant surprise for SMK Gunung Rapat student after scoring 9A+

       “A total of 17 schools recorded a full passing rate and they include SM Sains Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, SMK Agama Kota Kinabalu, SMK Agama Tun Ahmadshah Kota Kinabalu, SM Islamiah Tawau, SMK Agama Tun Juhar Sandakan and Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

       “The others are SMK Agama Mohamad Ali Ranau, SM Sains Lahad Datu, SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Papar, SMK Agama Kimanis, SMK Agama Keningau, SMA Al-Irsyadiah Merakau Ranau, SMK Matunggong Kudat, SMK Agama Tun Sakaran Semporna, SMK Kuala Penyu, SMK Weston Beaufort and SMK Terusan Sugut, Beluran,” she said.

       ALSO READ: SPM: Hard work source of success for Sarawak's top scorer

       Tah Niah commended the students and teachers for their hard work and achievement despite having multiple challenges including attending classes online due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years.