THEIR results are out but for many young adults, the post-Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) period is a daunting maze of uncertainty.
Many school-leavers, a recent study shows, do not know what to do.
“SPM-leavers don’t know what to do next, which may be why we are seeing students opting not to pursue higher education,” said Financial Industry Collective Outreach (Finco) chief executive officer Clare Walker.
Sharing the results of a recent survey by Finco, she said 88.7% of students did not know what to do after the SPM (see infographics).
Conducted between March 28 and May 9 to understand more about upper secondary students’ intended post-SPM educational and career pathways, and to provide insights into their levels of preparedness for post-SPM life, as well as their concerns and needs in relation to their plans, the nationwide Finco “From Classroom to Career: Students’ Post-SPM Decision Making” survey saw the participation of 1,066 respondents aged between 16 and 18.
Though 79.8% indicated that they would further their studies, the survey found that the students were concerned about the lack of information about what to do next and the financing options open to them.
The survey also found that 20.2% of respondents had not made a decision or were inclined to start working immediately after the SPM.
Compared to their peers in the other regions, the percentage of students in the northern zone of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak were the most uncertain when deciding whether to pursue further education or to work.
While many of the students surveyed claimed to have searched online or spoken to parents and friends about what to do next, confusion over entry requirements, funding options for further study, and required skills for work persists, Walker told StarEdu.
This, she said, was probably why the survey respondents lacked clarity when asked their post-SPM plans.
The survey also found that boys were the least inclined to continue their education. “The gender disparity could be due to the patriarchy which is more prevalent in some communities than others.
“In certain places, boys are expected to provide for the family and this could be why many male students from low-income backgrounds feel like they should prioritise entering the workforce either in upper secondary or immediately after the SPM over furthering their education,” she said, adding that students with low grades also tend to not want to continue studying.
Finco, a collaborative initiative pioneered by the country’s financial institutions with the support of Bank Negara Malaysia to provide underprivileged children and youth with the guidance and educational tools they need to achieve their life goals, she added, works with school counsellors and have multiple touchpoints with students from Form Three onwards to help them understand the value of education and prepare self-development plans before they sit for the SPM exams.
Navigating uncertainty
Uncertainty, said Taylor’s University career services head Raja Edriana Baizura, is the norm among students trying to make the “right decision” upon finishing school.
“The choice of not pursuing tertiary education lies with the students’ preference and, to a certain extent, their families’ ability to support the decision.
“Some might choose to not pursue it due to frustration, fear of the unknown or affordability,” she said, adding that while confusion is normal, it is crucial for students to know and understand the pros and cons of their options for them to make an informed decision to determine their career trajectories.
Starting early helps, said Raja Edriana.
“Doing a profiling test in Form One, Form Three, and before the students leave school, allows them to have a better understanding of their own personalities, and eventually guide them to the best possible route to take after finishing their secondary education.
“Another great approach would be to gather as much information as possible about the students so that their options become clear enough for them to chart their future career routes.
“Such information can be analysed and used as part of their personality profiles so that students can see what is the best option available to them with the guidance and support of parents, siblings, friends, and counsellors,” she said, adding that the information could also be used to work out a Plan B in case the first option does not materialise.
Raja Edriana said engagements with students via collaborations between schools and universities should start with the Form Three cohort to help nudge them in the right direction.
“Factors such as the reputation, location, and affordability of the university, and potential career opportunities available upon graduation, must be considered when deciding what to do post-SPM,” she said, adding that SPM-leavers may feel like they are being pulled in different directions, which makes the decision-making process even more complicated.
On one hand, the parents will be advocating for courses which they perceive will earn their children a good income upon graduation.
On the other hand, the students might have friends telling them to pursue something else so that they can be in the same institution, she said.
Listening to the different opinions and options from friends and relatives can be frustrating and confusing to school-leavers, Raja Edriana added.
A mismatch of capability versus interest, she said, adds to the confusion.
“There are common misconceptions – such as ‘I am a science student so I must pursue a science-based programme’ – that make it even harder for students to decide what to do next after the SPM.
“A student may be good at science, maths, or both, but he or she may be passionate about the humanities or art-related programmes.
“Stopping the student from pursuing that interest may lead to feelings of demotivation and even if the individual successfully graduates, he or she may end up pursuing a different career altogether.
“It is better to do a career and personality test to help one choose an option based on one’s interest,” she added.
Guidance, she said, can be imparted by working hand in hand with the students to let them know that they have support.
Information, said Raja Edriana, is readily accessible, but how students digest that knowledge, how they relate it to their future, and what opportunities they see ahead of them, are areas that the youth may require guidance to ensure that they make the best decision for their tertiary education.
“Everyone, from industry and higher learning institutions to teachers and parents, has to play their role in advising students,” she said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Educational Studies (Guidance and Counselling) senior lecturer Dr Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah said students can do their research together, especially with a deluge of information on social media, but they must be able to identify the similarities and differences in career interests they have with their friends and do an analysis based on what suits them best.
“Besides the Internet, look up successful individuals or icons in the field you are interested in. Your school alumni can also be a source of inspiration and guidance,” he suggested.
Knowing how to navigate uncharted waters could provide students an upper hand to understand how their career options relate to their interests and talents, said Syed Mohamad.
Insufficient or incomplete knowledge of available career paths, and how to pursue them, is a key barrier to youth entering the labour force, he added.
“Even though some students know exactly what they want to pursue, others take a longer time to make this decision.
“This highlights the value of career guidance as a crucial component of education. Without it, students may end up choosing a pathway that does not align with their aspirations or worse, turn their backs on higher education.”
School counsellors, he said, need to empower and raise awareness among their students of the importance of career planning from an early age to foster interest in learning, and to make lessons meaningful for them.
The hopes and aspirations of students can be influenced by their personal lives, familial background, and their understanding of the available pathways post-SPM, in addition to their talents, he added.
He urged students to think carefully about their interests.
“Setting goals and preparing action plans for your future direction will be beneficial when you venture out into the working world because you would already have a clear aim in mind while still in school.
“My advice is to always strike a compromise between personal interests and academic performance.
“There needs to be consideration and flexibility in making choices to avoid potential confusion.”
‘Do your homework’
I’m not sure what I want to pursue yet. It has been really confusing because I am torn between doing a diploma in science and taking up a course at a polytechnic. Forgoing tertiary education is definitely not an option for me because in this day and age, higher education is a must. Most of my friends have already decided on what they want to pursue but I want to be really careful before making a final decision. I have had discussions with school counsellors and my parents, and they have helped guide me through the institutions I can apply to with my SPM results. – Shannon Wong, 18
I can understand why many students may feel confused or uncertain about their post-SPM plans. It is a common stage of life where the youth are faced with numerous possibilities about their education, but confusion is not a reason to not continue with your tertiary studies. Do your research – it will go a long way in helping you to find your path. When I was in secondary school, I used to wonder about how the mind works. I wanted to be a psychologist until I did some research and found out how law suited my personality more because I enjoy the process of advocating and negotiating. Most importantly, I like to analyse how people think. That’s why I will be pursuing my foundation studies in law soon.– Muhammad Naiman Najib, 18
As an arts stream student, I have always been told that it is going to be difficult for me to get into proper colleges or secure a job. This ate at my confidence and left me doubting myself when it came to my career options. Seeking advice from counsellors helped me to identify my true passion, which is architecture. After discussing with my parents and doing my homework, I decided to apply to a polytechnic. Some of my friends ended up not furthering their studies because they were either confused and lacked confidence that they could do well, or they could not afford it. It is sad to think that there are many students who have had to sacrifice their tertiary education due to the same predicaments. That could have easily been me. My advice to SPM-leavers is to seek guidance from counsellors or anyone you trust if you want to be a professional in a field you are passionate about. Never give up. With the rapidly changing job market and evolving industries, it is important to remember that trying to secure a job without a degree can be tough.– Gaaythiri Sivakumar, 18
In the news
MARCH
> The Education Ministry has carried out several measures, including psychometric assessments as part of the school-based assessment, to address the issues of students discontinuing their studies upon completing Form Five.
> This was to help teachers identify the interests, abilities, potential, personality, and talents of students to guide them in choosing a career and in recognising their most dominant skills to be able to pursue their interests upon finishing school.
APRIL & MAY
> According to the Education Ministry’s eProfil Kerjaya Murid (ePKM), at least half of SPM graduates have opted to continue their tertiary education since 2018. as of Feb 2, 50.3% of the SPM 2021 candidates continued their education in various institutions. a total of 180,680 did not pursue tertiary education and between 20.02% and 30.8% of them joined the workforce. a total of 407,097 candidates sat for the written papers last year. In 2018 and 2019, 55.05% and 65.23% of students continued their studies while 20.02% and 25.85% opted to work, respectively. In 2020, 64.80% embarked on a tertiary path while 24.57% sought employment.
> Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying called on students not to stop pursuing higher studies as society was becoming increasingly aware of the need for education as this was closely related in determining the future of the nation’s children.
JUNE
> Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that varsity students in certain courses can now choose to attend classes on campus only for their first and final years under a hybrid learning system starting this new 2023/2024 academic session. Designed to attract interest and help parents save on tuition fees and other costs, the move will also see 44 courses in nine public institutions of higher learning cut from four years to three years. Flexible learning will be offered for 95 degree courses in 19 public universities.
> Some 10,000 B40 students would be fully exempt from tuition fees at all 20 public universities under the Keluarga Malaysia First Child Student development Programme (Sulung). Approximately RM30mil would be allocated for the purpose. Mohamed Khaled said the initiative was carried out as there were children from the B40 group who had obtained excellent results in their SPM or STPM exams but were unable to further their studies due to financial constraints. This inaugural programme targets the first representative from each B40 family to be successfully admitted to university.
JULY
> The Higher Education Ministry said out of 239,609 SPM 2022 students who applied to study at public institutions of higher learning (IPTa), 144,911 were offered programmes comprising basic studies, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees. A total of 373,974 candidates sat for the national exams this year.
Source: Media reports
