Saturday, May 30, 2009

Academic Poison ( The Meaning of Life)



A Post Inspired by news article from "The Star" where a student altered the SPM Results from 13 A1s & 2 A2s to 15 A1s in order to appeal for the scholarship.

I had gone through so many years of education in Malaysia. It was not tough, but what made my old days tough was getting excellent results for UPSR, PMR, SPM, & STPM. Well, these are the major examinations that determine the fate of a student.

If you did well in UPSR and PMR, you would have the chance to be in the spotlight like "American Idols"(^^). Plus, you would also be assigned to a more advanced class. Therefore, for some students, this would push them to score, score, and score their best in the exam. This is not the same for students who are not good in their studies. They are abandoned by their teachers~~~(Don't deny it; this is quite common in schooling days)

Then, here come SPM & STPM, these two examinations would either help you to get a scholarship for your course and get admission to a prestigious university or make your life difficult.

I was quite an average student who was quite fortunate to obtain a fair results for UPSR, PMR & SPM. (Btw, I did not take STPM, reason? Here) It had been 2 years since my SPM days. Well, it was one of the most devastating moments in my life. I was sure that I did not want to do STPM and just like any naive students, I though I would get a scholarship to study overseas. But, the truth was life was not that ideal; it was authentic than ever.

My father was also "drowned" in my problem. He wanted to study Sixth Form first, but, I stated my ground. Then, after a long and tired colleges and universities hunt, my father decided the best for me. It had already been 2 years.

Anyway, back to Academic Poison. As an average student, I know the importance of being honest. That student altered SPM results, to me, it was really pathetic - 13 A1s & 2A2s were not bad at all. I would salute her for having the guts to take up so many subjects. But, at the end, what is the point of doing that, if you are gonna cheat anyway.

We, students of Malaysia are poisoned with academically achievements. (I heard Singapore is even more "poisonous"). Yes, indeed, As can determine whether you can get a scholarship. However, if you have unpleasant personality, you would only do harm to yourself. I understand her situation; maybe, she was desperate to get a scholarhsip. I was desperate too. But, we have to face the fact that if it is not yours to take, it is fate!

That student should just summit her real results and let MCA do their stuffs - like go to the press or whatever. Now, that student might really lost all the chances. The mentality of getting excellent results is growing every day. Some students might even be suicidal if they did not get good results.

I would not want to "poison" the future with academic achievements. Not everyone is good in studies. Some are good in arts, writing, and etc. It is not compulsory for a student to run an academic cycle of life. (He did well in his studies - - - He got a scholarship - - - He graduated with 1st Honours - - - He found a great job as a doctor - - - ) I hope my life is like that too. But, again, sometimes, we have to be real in this world. Not everyone can stand the academic poison!


4 comments:

Borneo Falcon said...

I find it is so easy to achieve As nowadays in SPM compare to my days. Been told the standard had drop tremendously

Calvin Lee said...

This problem will exist forever. Though they suggest that maximum 10 subjects can be taken in next year SPM, but the same problem will repeat next year. Belive it or not.

fufu said...

hahhaha...well there's always an exception... i got scholarship .... but i didnt achieve well in stpm...luckily i got the scholarship from jpnese government :) anyway, if not i still could continue my studies in UM... this depends on luck also.... but i must say...the system is real suckzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I AM A BLOGGER said...

[borneo falcon]
yup, tat is true. Ever since they change the syllabus into English, some of the contents in the textbooks were cut! So sad~~~

[bearleong89]
10 subjects are too little. they wan to limit the no. subjects, not to degrade the standard. i think that 12 subjects as max is optimum.

[fufu]
woowoowowo, u r lucky. but, students have to be smart not just academically, they hv to plan well for themselves!