KINABATANGAN, March 11 (Bernama) -- There is still a wide gap in the achievement betweeen rural and urban students in this year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The ministry was aware of the situation and would take measures to minimise the gap, he said.

"We will ensure that the gap will not continue to widen," he said when asked to comment on the 2009 SPM result which was announced today.

Earlier, Muhyiddin, who is the Education Minister, handed over aid to flood victims in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam here today.

He said the ministry would also look into the gap in the achievement for certain subjects between students in rural and urban areas as well as between male and female students.

"Last week we announced that we want a posting system be implemented requiring teachers to undergo compulsory postings to interiors," he said.

Muhyiddin said the ministry would also take into consideration the infrastructure for schools in rural and urban areas in the effort to minimise the gap.

There was also a need to enhance awareness among parents on the importance of education for their childrens' future.

On the budget reduction, Muhyiddin said it affected all ministries.

"However, we recently brought this to the prime minister's attention and he agreed to increase the allocation for the ministry.

"In the current situation, I hope that school managements will embark on cost reduction such as in the use of water and electricity, if possible by as much as 10 to 20 per cent.

"This is does not mean that we are cutting down our budget; we only want to save it more," he said.