My Longkang

I applaud our beloved Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah for abolishing fees for all examinations- UPSR, PMR,SPM and STPM for candidates from government schools. It is a timely move as every year, some students leave school as they are unable to come up with the money to pay for the examination fees. However this gesture of his has created unexpected implications.

Students can now register for as many subjects as they want in the hope of becoming lucky and scoring a pass or a distinction depending on the quality of the student. Certain subjects may be totally ignored or abandoned as the date of the SPM nears.

Many schools, teachers and students become pressured. Education is not about the number of A’s a candidate can obtain in an examination. This kiasu attitude where one has to get as many A’s as possible is a trend in the wrong direction. Even now students are taught in school with the SPM examinations in mind and not to get an education.

The students are spoon-fed and they are expected to regurgitate it all in the examinations. Many students go to tuition classes, cram classes etc. etc. just to get reams of notes to read and memorize. Where are the critical thinking skills so heavily emphasized in the curriculum? In real life situations, these same students are unable to solve problems.

Percentages are going to drop and the poor teacher has to answer to the headmaster and the community.

Forgetlah the PTK. Forgetlah the smile and handshakes from the headmaster. Forgotten also are all the hours stayed behind after school to give extra classes ( without overtime pay).

Some good students may end up getting mediocre results too as they try to concentrate on too many subjects but in the end excel in none. This creates intense and unnecessary competition which is detrimental to the welfare of all parties involved.

I therefore welcome the initiative by the Malaysian Examination Syndicate to submit a proposal to the Education Ministry to limit to 12 the number of subjects an SPM candidate can take.

It reminds me of the monkey that went to steal bananas, it plucked a banana and clamped it under its left arm-pit. Then it plucked another banana and did the same. The previous banana of course dropped. ” Not very efficientlah ”

From Thestar.