GENDER ISSUES IN MALAYSIAN EDUCATION: FACTORS INFLUENCING MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH COGNITIVE PROCESSES IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS Suppiah Nachiappan Faculty of Education and Human Development Sultan Idris Education University Velayudhan P. K. Veeran Sultan Idris Education University Hari Krishnan Andi Sultan Idris Education University ABSTRACT Gender issues in the field of education has been a continuos debated issue for generations. In the present context, the gender issue is being debated heatedly based on the differences in the achievements among male and female students in public exams.The objective of this study is to obtain views from (N=120) secondary school students randomly selected from various location in Malaysia. Hermeneutic analysis was used in order to analyse the students’ written essays on the factors which contributed to the achievement of the two genders in examinations. The findings of the study clearly indicated that female students outperform male students in examinations. The sample also summed up the factors leading to the failure of male students in performing well and ways to overcome this setback. Keywords: Gender issues, Academic achievement, Hermeneutic Analysis, text, public examination Introduction Women and men are far more similar in terms of cognitive ability and academic achievement than they are different (Hyde, 2007). There are no gender differences in overall intelligence or achievement in most school subjects, from English literature to psychology, but there are some areas in which women excel and some in which men excel. On average, women perform somewhat better than men do in language skills, verbal memory, perceptual speed, and fine motor skills, whereas men perform slightly better than women in mathematics, science, and social studies on average (Halpern, 2004; Hyde, 2007). Of course, according to Lahey (2009), no one should assume that a given person is or not proficient in reading and spelling on the basis of gender. Knowing a person’s gender is not a reliable indicator of his or her cognitive abilities or personality. Gender is a new perspective that yet to be explored fully in Malaysia. Gender issue is also considered as a relative and new issue to the society till sometimes it brings various evaluation and thoughts at which most are inaccurate on gender. Understanding on gender has become an important concept to all including those under government, private sector or individuals so as to make sure that any discussions related to this issue is focused towards its establishment. In Malaysia difference on gender is not a serious issue that required to be discussed in community. This issue will only become serious if the differences create inequality in social lifestyles. Many inequalities have been recorded till it draws the attention of many to join in to discuss this matter.