Education director-general Datuk Seri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said the pupils' performance in this year's Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) saw a 0.02 point decrease in the Average National Grade (GPN).

The GPN this year decreased from 2.27 in 2013 to 2.29.

He added that the GPN for 2014 was better compared to 2011 (2.30) and 2012 (2.31).

In a New Straits Times report, it is stated that the GPN and the Average Subject Grade (GPMP) are used to gauge candidates' performance in specific subjects and they operate on a decreasing scale where a lower index value indicates better candidate achievement.

Khair also said the percentage of students achieving straight As saw a decrease this year at 36,304 as compared to 42,646 last year.

The report also highlighted that the percentage of candidates who scored below the required minimum achievement (all D's or E's or a combination of both grades) decreased by 0.49 per cent, from 3.36 per cent in 2013 to 2.87 per cent this year.

Despite the decrease in the number of students scoring straight As, he said five subjects saw an increase in the GPMP, with English and Bahasa Melayu (Penulisan) as among the subjects.

In Kuching,1,862 pupil or 4.41 percent from 42,176 from the national school and government-aided schools in Sarawak obtained straight As.

State Education Department director Serina Sauni said thre is a decrease in the number of candidates who scored straight As in every subjects compared to last year.

In 2013, there were 1,916 candidates or 4.49 percent obtained all As, which sees a 0.08 percent decrease, the portal reported.

Serina added that the GPN is similar to last year, which is 2.52.

In Pahang, 2,257 candidates from 24,491 obtained all As, said Pahang Education Department director Rosdi Ramli.