I REFER to Dr Samuel Padman’s opinion regarding the issue of Malay College Kuala Kangsar and Tunku Kurshiah College students being allowed to take the International Baccalaureate exams (”Open it to more schools” — NST, Oct 6).

The move is a great idea. I wholly agree with Padman. Why not apply this idea not just to elite schools but also to private and state schools?

In Australia and New Zealand, for example, secondary school students have the right to take either the Cambridge A-levels or the IB if they decide not to take the local High School Certificate (HSC) examination.

The reason we have such options is because we all know that every student is not only unique but also some are willing to stand out and have decided which university they wish to attend and further their studies after leaving high school.

A lot of people would testify that the IB is not only internationally recognised but also provides all sorts of subjects a student can choose from. Moreover, it provides various subjects which are not found in our education syllabus. For example, a student who wants to major in law and mass communications in the future would pick out law studies, social studies, media and film studies and journalism when he or she takes the IB.

Isn’t it time we made the education system flexible for our students?

Source: NST – October 7, 2008