SPM results were released yesterday and I’ve been hearing all these horror stories that make me question if our next generation of teens are ruined. Mother-in-law told me about neighbourhood kids who cried their eyes out because they’d scored 10A1s and 1A2, about parents who put their children down in public because they’d scored “only 9A1s.”
I was shocked. Brother-in-law, who takes the exam later this year, shed some light. The aim is to achieve straight A1s. It doesn’t matter how many you get, as long as you score a single A2 or – God forbid – a B3, your results are moot. You are no longer a “straight A1 student.” Everyone, he tells me, is very kiasu (translation: afraid of losing out) about it.
People think Chinese schools are competitive but I was from a Chinese school and I tell you we have nothing on these kids.
Who or what makes them think anything less than an A1 is a disaster? Why are kids crying their eyes out over results any sane human being would be proud of? Whatever happened to, “As long as you try your best, daddy and mummy are right behind you and support you”?
It’s insane, really. And I can’t help but wonder if the same kids who care so deeply about their grades care about the other (more) important things in life. Strength of character. Integrity. Selflessness and concern for others. Being grateful for their many opportunities and privileges. Because from what I’ve heard, it sure doesn’t look that way.
What kind of message are their parents sending? Did you know that in some schools, you can “bribe” clubs and societies for perfect attendance so your school record looks better when you graduate? Except it’s not called “bribing”, as I was informed, it’s called “helping.” Funny, when cops ask for a bribe they use the same word too – help.
“If you had to choose between having the best results or being known as the person with the best, most upright character,” I asked one kid. “Which would you choose?”
Here’s the scary part – she couldn’t answer the question.
Aim to achieve straight A1s … now that’s stressful. I recall a few very fine and excellent physicians I know once mentioned they didn’t have fine grades in high school.
Scoring straight A1s tells me nothing about one’s character, other than the fact that particular person can do well in exams.
Glad I’m not one of those kids sitting for SPM nowadays …
“I recall a few very fine and excellent physicians I know once mentioned they didn’t have fine grades in high school.”
I know a few people like that too! Do you think kids like that end up with better characters because they can’t hide behind excellent grades? I hope so.
Scoring straight A’s in school doesn’t mean that you will do well in the future, it olnly means that you are good in memorizing textbooks and certainly it doesn’t make you a better person. What is more important is your common knowledge and your personal character, which will then lead you to success.
Adele: Totally agree! I think some parents have lost the plot.
nah, its all about the As. My children better be doctors or lawyers.. or else… Besides, i need to showoff to G and C. its all about the competition.
Haha… Y. Let me be first to say as far as this goes.
You win.
let me say one thing, poor kid. one parent wants straight A1 and the other character. man he/she will be very confused! dun wanna say who ;) but we all know
oh yeah… another note. i don’t think it’s impossible to have both. kinda needs parents to work TOGETHER on this… ;)
just got to support Man Utd can already. AHAHHAHAA…kidding
i received resumes from ppl who got straight As… and when i read their resume… sigh…
If they claim an impressive list of extra-curricular achievements, make sure you ask them if they bribed :P
regurgitating during exams – that’s the very problem that we are facing nowadays in our very own ‘boleh-land’. we losing out as time goes by with zero critical thinking on our kids’, if not the parents’ mind… the same goes to character building and wot not.
do you think the authorities agree that regurgitating is a problem, because if yes, why aren’t they doing anything about it?