ALOR SETAR – The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) celebrated 34 outstanding students from KEDA rural communities who achieved excellent results in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination during the Academic Excellence Appreciation Ceremony held at ABC Ballroom here.
Out of a total of 264 KEDA rural students who sat for the SPM 2025 examination, 34 students, or 12.8 percent, achieved results of 5As and above.
The breakdown shows that nine students obtained 9As, followed by six students with 8As, five students with 7As, seven students with 6As, and seven students with 5As.
This achievement reflects an improvement compared to 2024, which recorded 34 students attaining 5As and above, demonstrating the effectiveness of KEDA’s continuous efforts in strengthening education among rural students.
Notably, eight children of KEDA staff were also listed among the top achievers in the 2025 SPM examination.
The ceremony was officiated by KEDA Chairman, YBhg. Dato’ Seri DiRaja Mahdzir bin Khalid.
In his speech, he expressed hope that these students would become “icons of hope” for rural communities.
“When you return to your villages, be the best examples to your younger peers that rural children can master the English language, excel in artificial intelligence (AI) and green technology, and possess strong character,” he said.
He also advised students to remain humble, remember their roots, and continue contributing to society and KEDA in the future.
Meanwhile, the KEDA General Manager stated that the agency continuously collaborates closely with the Kedah State Education Department (JPNK) to strengthen rural education.
According to him, among the initiatives implemented is the SPM Tuition Programme involving 113 schools across Kedah, with an allocation of RM395,500 under the Generational Empowerment Programme (GEN).
In addition, KEDA, together with JPNK, introduced the “100 Rural Gems of Kedah 2024” programme aimed at producing 100 students with straight A results, with KEDA contributing RM50,000 to support the initiative.
The event was also attended by Kedah State Executive Council Member, Dato’ Ustazah Hajah Siti Ashah binti Haji Ghazali; KEDA Board Member, Dato’ Aminuddin Omar; Senior Assistant Director of the Learning Sector, Social Science Unit of JPN Kedah, Nornisa binti Asmaran; as well as invited speaker and motivational expert, Dato’ Dr. Haji Fadzilah Kamsah, who delivered a motivational talk on excellence to the students.
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