Earlier this week, it was reported that 10,160 out of 383,685 students were absent from one of the most significant exams in their lives, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Malaysians have since speculated that this may be due to certain career paths that seemingly do not require formal education.

According to a report by BERNAMA, the decision by these students to skip their SPM exams has been linked to social media influencers promoting the idea that education, including SPM certifications, is not necessary for achieving success and wealth.

Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, chairperson of the Parent Action Group of Education (PAGE), stated that students are being swayed by 'attractive career paths' such as becoming influencers, as they lack proper guidance.

“These students see becoming influencers as a shortcut to earning money without needing education or qualifications. Some even believe they can forgo SPM because they can earn a decent income as food delivery riders,” she explained.

“Skipping the SPM examinations after completing Standard 1 through Form 5 is a significant loss, but for individuals lacking interest, academic inclination, and proper guidance, this period merely represents a phase in their life journey,” she added.

In September 2023, a doctor and guest speaker was shocked when a hall full of Form 3 students expressed their ambitions to become TikTokers and YouTubers.

“Being a TikToker isn’t a job! Those who do business on TikTok are entrepreneurs like Khairul Aming; they are not TikTokers, they are businessmen. Those who do business can use platforms like TikTok and Facebook to generate sales. Those who work can use these platforms for side incomes,” she told the students.

“But, if you want to live by being a full-time TikToker, your life will be filled with instability. One moment the income could be high, the next there could be no income at all for months. Moreover, the reality is that influencers’ lives are unstable because many people will ask for free reviews, to attend fashion shows for free, become models for free, create content for free, and so on,” she cautioned.