STPM 2009

Salam bahagia...

The result is out. Those days, when talking about STPM..it was something great. Entering Form 6 is great and then sitting for STPM is even greater. Why? Because the values that Form 6 carries. The work market, then..still look up upon STPM holders. You can easily apply for a job with STPM qualification. And to enter our public universities, it was a tough competition since we have limited Universities those days. Forget about Universities if we just optains 3 weak Principals. No use att all.
As for my career, if you have STPM, then, your salary scheme is higher than your SPM scheme. It was during C1 and C2 in 1990s. I entered with SPM qualification...which was categorized as C2, starting pay RM575 (1990), and we can upgrade to C1, if we have STPM qualification, starting pay RM8++.00. So, I sat twice as private candidate (1991 & 1992) to obtain that level. I did in 1992 but the scheme has changed to DG6, means that all who possess SPM, STPM and Diplomas qualifications will be in one scheme (DG6) with different starting level (T) dan stage (P). They considered my STPM and gave me HPG (Hadiah Pergerakan Gaji), I thanked Allah. Now..Im teaching MUET for the Form 6. My wife, the Form 6 senior assistant revealed many things about Form 6 and STPM (and also about the lecturers of Form 6). I got to know how the results are graded. Its not just the Principals and Subsidiaries as it used to be. It now possesses points and Average Point Values and things like that. Do you believe that the points of 3 solid Principals can be higher than those 5 Ps? Yes..believe it. Time changed. We have over 20 of public universities. As the motto of AirAsia, "Now Everyone Can Fly", "Now Everyone Can Enter Universities" will be our national motto for Form 6 leavers.
Universities offering various kinds of courses ( the ones that I never heard before during my time). "We have to coop with the changes, with the demand, the market field, globalisation, social obligations, etc. etc.." they say. But some portions of the intakes for the courses are low achievers with minimum qualifications. We understand that one of the criteria to achieve Vision 2020 would be a comparison of the level of education of Malaysians. The higher their education level, it will be shown very significantly when comes to 2020. So, the strategy is, now, let everyone enter universities (eventhough they are not that qualified?).
In many parts in our education system, the quality of our education has been degraded rather than being upgraded (as they claimed ). Results of public examinations showing 'flying-colour' results. Each and every year... "The results showing great performance and achievements"...they claim and, of course as one of the fanatic supporters of my ministry, and a loyal government/public servant, I agree. But I have my dissatisfaction too. I cant hide. Numbers and figures can be manipulative but what about the quality of our students? There so many things that I wanted to say to the policy makers. About our curriculum, the implementation, the material, etc..but "Who am I?" Who can really arise this matter?