A TOTAL of 453 students from the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency received awards for their academic achievements in the 2025 school session.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the annual awards, now in their fourth year, recognise students’ efforts while encouraging them to continue striving for excellence.
“The awards are not only about recognising academic achievements, but also about inspiring and motivating our children to continue working hard towards success,” he said at the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency Excellent Student Awards ceremony at Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai today.
Of the recipients, 375 were primary school pupils, while 29 were students from Form One to Form Four.
Another 44 students scored eight As or more in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), while five achieved a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.7 and above in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).
Chow said the state government remains committed to ensuring that every child in Penang has access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
He cited the state’s SPM 2025 results, with 16,545 candidates, or 92.26%, qualifying for the certificate. Of these, 725 candidates obtained straight As, including 25 who scored straight A+.
Penang also recorded its highest-ever state average CGPA for STPM in 2025, rising to 2.99 from 2.96 the previous year.
Apart from academic performance, the state is strengthening learning support for students who need additional assistance, particularly those from lower-income families.
At the Penang Mengajar Carnival 2026 in September, the Penang Islamic Foundation and the Penang Education Department launched an intensive literacy training module to help pupils, especially those from B40 households, improve their basic learning skills.
An additional RM4.6 million allocation was also approved this year, with support from the Federal Government, to upgrade infrastructure at 27 Islamic educational institutions in Penang.
Besides that, the state is also implementing the 2026 State Small Scholarship (Biasiswa Kecil Negeri) to ease families’ financial burden and help students focus on their studies.
“These efforts reflect our education agenda — to celebrate excellence while ensuring that no child is left behind,” Chow said.
He urged the award recipients to remain disciplined, respect their parents and teachers, and continue working towards their goals.
“Excellence is not measured by examination results alone, but also by character, discipline, humanitarian values and the ability to benefit others,” he said.
Chow expressed hope that the students would one day contribute to the community, Penang and the country.
Also present were state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, who is also Perai assemblyman; state Trade and National Unity Committee chairman Goh Choon Aik, who is Bukit Tambun assemblyman; Chow’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee; Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Rachel Teh; Batu Kawan MP and Padang Kota assemblyman service centre director Ewe Chee Way; Exopuri Development founder and Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai owner Ng Kock Leong; and the hotel’s general manager Nick Ng.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud