Whats Next after SPM & STPM

5.2% increase in number of students obtaining straight As

By KAREN CHAPMAN, the Star

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 6,247 students who took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year obtained As in all their subjects.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said this was an increase of 5.2% compared to last year.

"Of the total, 1,072 obtained 1As last year compared to 1,280 in 2006," he told a press conference Wednesday when announcing the SPM and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) results at the ministry.

He said the students who sat for the SPM last year were the first group in Form One under the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English introduced in 2003.

"It has not affected the students' performance in Science and Mathematics as there are improvements in Additional Mathematics, Physics and Biology at national level in both urban and rural areas," he said.

As an example, he said 252,513 students opted to answer the Mathematics paper and 161,972 students answered the Additional Mathematics 2 paper in English.

Alimuddin said there has also been an increase in the proficiency of English among students.

"A total of 52,931 students obtained 1A or 2A in English last year compared to 47,547 in 2006," he said.

Effective last year, he said students who took the Principles of Accounting subject and obtained good results would receive international recognition.

This, he added, was for Level Two of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and exemptions for a Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) paper under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualifications.

He said 89% of the 778 students took part in the pilot project last year successfully obtained the LCCI certification while 774 obtained the exemptions for the CAT paper.

"Students who were not involved in the pilot project will also be able to obtain the exemption," he said.

It was a great news to hear that the percentage of the students who get straight As in the last year public exams (SPM). The result has convinced us that the current education system has improved including the use of English language in Science and Mathematic subjects. After all the government worked very hard to put the education agenda as the national investment on the human capital issue. By upgrading the diploma achievers to degree in teaching course, the ministry of education has ensured that the lesson and knowledge have been delivered with an affective way.

What is the next destination for the Bidayuh Students? Do they have enough fund to go for university? I received a phone call from my niece telling that she has passed her SPM exam. I encouraged her to apply for Teaching College to get her Degree in Teaching. My solid reason to tell her to do so is that she will secured her career and that is the best way to reduce education dept. The best is to enroll to Marticulation College and go for university. As poverty is still in her family (jobless parents) I encourage her to apply for the course that are cheap and guarantee.

How about the rest of the student? To obtain a Bachelor Degree, they need more than RM 30K including daily expenses. There is PTPTN and other loans but the dilemma is the job after graduate. It is an advantage for the distinction students to apply for Petronas and Shell scholarships which is free of charge. The only thing is that they must perform well in their study. It is a struggle to those student from rural area to access to the government offices to get loan unless they make a stay in town to manage their applications.

What is our YB point of view on the Bidayuh education agenda? Is there any aid for those who are in need? They are the hope for the future and there is no way to let them loose and withdraw from education. I believe that education is the golden investment and there is no other way to upgrade our life if not by the education. Even Dr. James Dawos is an Oxford scholar and indeed he has changed his fate.

The Bidayuh students must not be left behind because they are the representative for us to challenge with the other community. They are no longer being a construction workers or cofee shop waiter/s. The elders must guide them on what to do next. So to DBNA as they sworn that it agenda on education is a crucial fight. We are no more to be called kampung kampungan but to be the great competitors to the other community. It has been proved that education is the answer of poverty and ignorance. The next is up to Bidayuh to decide where they want to be.