Limited Number Of Subject In SPM Examination

I am in favour of the goverment proposal to limit the number of SPM subjects to be taken by each student. Proving that someone can take 20 subjects and score straight A's doesn't mean that the person is a COMPLETELY successful student. Having photographic memory doesn't ensure the person can later be successful in his/her working life. It will definitely take more than that.

Annually, come April/May, there'll be people's champions fighting for straight A's (usually in excess of 10 subjects) students who missed the PSD overseas scholarships boat, some even can't get seats in the local IPTs. I have seen students who are very good at getting straight A's yet can't even speak properly in interviews nor getting good marks for IQ or MENSA tests.

The scenario becomes worse when the media are very keen in highlighting those students who scores straight A's in more than 10 subjects. It started with 11 straight A's, then the number increases proportionately with the years gone by. Currently, it is 20 (if I'm not mistaken).

In addition, this kind of culture affected co-curriculum activities and sports. It seems nowadays, that when a student is good in sports, he/she will most probably not that good academically. No wonder most Malaysian students stayed away from sports, thus, Malaysians found that it's hard to get an Olympic Gold Medal. Well, we could wait until 2016 when squash COULD be accepted an an Olympic event and Datuk Nicol David still the No. 1 ranked player in the world.

Let our students lead their normal childhood/teenage life. Let them enjoy the opportunities presented to them, academically, socially and sportswise. Forcing them to take extra subject during SPM examination doesn't ensure them a place in the IPTs nor give them licence to skip STPM or matriculation or even A-Levels before entering the IPTs. Let us be realistic.