Decline only concerning if it develops into consistent downward trend:Academic
PETALING JAYA: A slight dip in the Bahasa Melayu subject performance in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) may appear marginal but language experts say it must not be dismissed, adding that even small declines could signal deeper issues if left unchecked.
They said the 0.13-point drop, while within normal year-on-year fluctuations, should be closely monitored to prevent any long-term erosion in students’ command of the national language.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Academy of Language Studies senior lecturer Dr Rozaimah Rashidin said the decline would only become a concern if it develops into a consistent downward trend compared with results in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
“I believe the Education Ministry is aware of the matter and appropriate intervention measures should be taken.
“The SPM 2025 cohort is the first group that did not sit for UPSR and PT3, which may have contributed to the slight decline, as students may lack preparation or be unfamiliar with formal examination answering techniques.”
Rozaimah, who is also Linguistic Society of Malaysia deputy director, said several factors could have contributed to the dip and urged the ministry to examine the underlying causes closely, adding that it should not be treated lightly given its potential implications.
She said students are not facing greater challenges in mastering Bahasa Melayu compared with previous cohorts, as the same curriculum remains in place.
“It comes down to students’ willingness, motivation and attitude towards the language.
“The teaching methods for Bahasa Melayu remain effective, with teachers well trained and highly qualified.”
She also said the syllabus does not require major immediate changes, describing it as well developed, comprehensive and inclusive, with any improvements best carried out gradually.
Rozaimah also emphasised the importance of upholding Bahasa Melayu as the national and official language under Article 152 of the Federal Constitution, while calling for more diverse teaching approaches, quality learning materials and stronger parental involvement at home.
Junior language consultant Azhar Kassim said students’ performance reflects mixed progress, with relatively strong examination results but weaker everyday usage influenced by social media and informal communication.
He added that students continue to perform well in exams, largely due to a stronger focus on answering techniques and structured formats.
“However, overall language quality has declined slightly, with students using limited vocabulary, simpler sentence structures and less expressive writing.
“Students tend to use Bahasa Melayu formally in class, but more casually and in mixed languages outside the classroom, especially on social media platforms.”
He also said common weaknesses include essay writing, grammar, comprehension and vocabulary, all of which affect overall writing quality.
Meanwhile, language expert Prof Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim said expectations among parents and teachers for improved performance each year may not always reflect students’ actual approach to the subject.
The Sun Malaysia
