Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s overall performance in the 2025 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination showed a modest but significant improvement, with the state’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) rising from 2.77 in 2024 to 2.78 in 2025, even as the number of candidates sitting for the examination declined.
Sabah Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin said 8,296 candidates registered for the STPM 2025 examination, compared to 8,356 in 2024.
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“Of 8,296 registered candidates, 91.99pc or 7,632 candidates attended the STPM 2025 examination in Sabah,” he said, when announcing the results, Thursday.
He said the increase of 0.01 in the state’s CGPA may appear marginal, however it is still a positive indicator of improving academic quality and student achievement.
The improvement was accompanied by a rise in the number of students attaining a perfect CGPA of 4.00, which increased from 146 candidates in 2024 to 158 candidates in 2025.
Raisin also noted that the number of candidates obtaining 5As in all five subjects increased from seven candidates in 2024 to 21 candidates in 2025, while candidates with 4As showed a slight decrease from 139 candidates in 2024 to 137 candidates in 2025.
“While Sabah’s CGPA of 2.78 remains below the national average of 2.88, the upward trend reflects continued progress in our pre-university education system,” he added, highlighting that 98.87pc of candidates achieved full passes at the principal level, while 99.96pc qualified for the STPM certificate.
For subject performance, he said 21 out of 22 subjects recorded a full pass rate (grade C and above) of 60pc or higher, with four subjects showing improvements of more than three per cent compared to 2024 – Arabic Language, Tahfiz al-Quran, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as well as Biology.
He said 20 candidates managed to achieve Band 5.0 for MUET in 2025.
“Three Form Six centres were also selected as national best centres. SMK Kinabutan Tawau is awarded for Best National Form Six Centre (Mode 2 and Mode 3), as well as for Best Performance Improvement.
“Form Six College Kota Kinabalu and Form Six College Tawau were also selected,” he added.
He also announced the National Best Student (Social Science Stream) for STPM 2025, which was awarded to Ahmad Mursyied Umair Darwis from SM Agama Kota Kinabalu.
Raisin pointed out that of the students who achieved a perfect 4.00 CGPA, 126 came from B40 backgrounds.
“I hope that these high-achieving students will receive scholarships from the Sabah government, Yayasan Sabah or other sponsors to continue their education at university,” he said.
Sabah remains one of the largest contributors for STPM candidates in Malaysia, with approximately seven thousand to eight thousand sitting for the examination each year.
Meanwhile, this year saw 664 registered students deciding not to sit for the STPM examination. When asked to elaborate on the reasons, Raisin identified employment and marriage as two major factors.
“Some students chose to work either to support themselves or to help their families financially, while those who had married often decided not to continue their studies.
“In most cases, these students had already secured employment opportunities or gained admission to public or private higher education institutions,” he explained.
Raisin congratulated everyone involved in these achievements, attributing the improvements to the continuous efforts of teachers, the dedication of students and the support provided by parents.
