THE Penang government handed out awards to a total of 313 students, who were among the top scorers in the 2021 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), at G Hotel in Gurney Drive today.
Out of the 313 recipients, 82 were STPM (Form 6) and 231 were SPM (Form 5) high achievers.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman presented certificates of appreciation to the STPM students and SPM students respectively.
Chow said cash incentives amounting to a total of RM232,000 would be paid to the top scorers and as well as the top schools through electronic fund transfer.
Northeast district education office deputy assistant Sunny Seowfuddin Abdullah (right) receiving a mock cheque for RM232,000 from Chow (third from left) at the excellence awards ceremony for SPM and STPM high achievers. With them are (from left) Abdul Halim, Ramasamy and Ahmad Zakiyuddin.
“This initiative is a small recognition by the state government for the excellent achievements of the students of Penang who have worked hard and diligently.
“To the parents, guardians and teachers involved, you are the central pillar of the success of these children.
“Despite the difficulties faced by students, teachers and parents in going through these difficult times, including the Covid-19 situation, the state government is very proud that every year we can witness an improvement,” Chow said in his speech.
He added that for STPM achievement in 2021, Penang has recorded a proud cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.85, surpassing the national CGPA (2.79) and also higher than the CGPA in 2020 (2.83).
For last year’s SPM, Chow said he was informed that 15,520 out of 20,048 candidates or 86.03% managed to pass the examination and receive certificates. They included 231 students who managed to achieve 7A+ and above.
Joshua Ng Shao Wen taking a wefie with Chow and Shartika Maniam (second from left), Gowri Ruttira Kumaran (fourth from left) and Meenatharshini Ravi (right) at the conclusion of the excellence awards ceremony. Shao Wen, formerly of Penang Free School, scored 9A+ in SPM while the three girls were among the top STPM scorers from Kolej Tingkatan Enam Haji Zainul Abidin.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also in charge of the education portfolio, said Penang students have always recorded good results overall in the SPM and STPM examinations every year.
“I would like to wish all the achievers the best in their further education and hope they achieve their ambitions,” Dr Ramasamy said.
He said each of the 231 SPM high achievers would receive RM500 while each of the 82 STPM high achievers would receive RM1,000 cash incentive.
In addition to these awards, there were also awards given out to the best students by race and a ‘special’ best student.
Dr Ramasamy added that as many as 22 schools in Penang obtained 100% passes in SPM and 11 schools obtained 100% passes in STPM, hence their students were eligible to receive their certificates.
Another great achievement he said was that out of 2,049 students who sat the STPM in 2021, a total of 2,048 students passed and were eligible to receive their STPM certificate.
It was also a memorable celebration for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (P) Al-Mashoor for emerging as the Best STPM school and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Jambul for emerging as the Best SPM school for 2021.
Both schools were rewarded with a cash incentive of RM6,000 each.
Also present were state executive councillors Chong Eng and Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, deputy State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Rizal Hussain (management) and Penang Education Department deputy director of the learning sector Roland @ Rozaidi Abu Hassan.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Alissala Thian