I AM writing in response to the letter “It’s not the number of As that matters” by Melissa Netto and the recent reports of various SPM top scorers who just received their results.

I completed my SPM two years ago and passed with 11 A1s and an A2.

However, when I discovered from newspaper reports that the top scorer this time around has 21 As, it just failed to impress me.

Instead, it only made me question the message that we’re trying to get across to future SPM candidates. Further reports on the same day also highlighted students with 16As and above.

I was particularly interested in what they had to say about their decision to take so many subjects, only to find out that their reason is simply to “stand out from the rest who just score 9As or 10As”.

So is this why more and more students are joining the rat race for the most number of subjects taken?

Miss Netto said the 21As suggest that we live in a nation of prodigies and geniuses who can contribute towards national development.

Although this may be true to some extent, what about other students with the average of 10As? Aren’t they considered prodigies as well?

In fact, I would say they are better prodigies in terms of character as they think for themselves and do not get caught up in the quest for quantity. And they chose to focus and excel in the main important subjects instead.

Besides, what happened to the Education Ministry’s decision to limit the number of subjects taken to 12?

When the policy was first suggested, public response had been positive but now it is said that SPM is an open certificate and so nothing can stop them from taking these many subjects.

It only shows that it is all talk and no action.

I myself took 12 subjects during my time and readily admit I did that to “stand out”, but my views have changed considerably since then.

When I started my A-Levels, I took it for granted that it should be easier since I only had to do three subjects. Oh, how wrong I was!

I have worked much harder than I ever did when I was in secondary school and I’m sure the STPM students would agree as their workload should be even heavier than mine.

Most of my fellow pre-university friends agree that your “brains” can only get you as far as the SPM, and after that it boils down to sheer hard work and determination for many years to come.

To those who passed with flying colours, congratulations and keep up the good work.

To those who did not, put in as much effort as you can and don’t ever give up; eventually you will succeed in some way or another.

And to the Government, I would suggest limiting the number of subjects that can be taken while raising the grading standards.

Ex-SPM STUDENT,
Penang.

Source: The Star – March 19, 2008