We all read about the recent debate on students who got 15 A's in their SPM and still failed to get a JPA scholarship.
During the 80's (during our time lah, hehe), getting 8 A's was considered a stupendous achievement, and even getting 10 A's was unheard of. And during our parents' time, even getting 5 A's for their 'O' levels was considered fantastic.
I remembered back in 1988 (the year we sat for our SPM), how hard it was to get an 'A' for Matematik Tambahan. A lot of us did well in the school exams (80% and above) and still only managed to get a B3 during the actual exam.
And who remembered how many students in our batch scored an 'A1' for BM? It was actually only one!! Can anyone guess who this guy was? It was none other than Mr. Tee!
So, getting so many A's in those days were really hard. So what has really changed?
One fact that caught my eye was the statement in The Star that an 'A' can be awarded for marks between 60 to 100. That's a huge variance, if you ask me. How can someone who scored 65% be considered to be on par with someone who scored 95%?
And does the fact that students nowadays can score so many A's means they are much more clever and capable than those students from 20 years ago? I seriously doubt it.
I remembered when I entered Uni in Belfast back 1991, I had a culture shock. The professors there were surprised that the Malaysians and the Singaporeans don't really like to attend tutorials, preferring to spend time alone to study instead. Reason? They are scared of being asked for their opinion during those tutorials. Why were we scared? Because we were seldom asked to think.
Another thing that annoyed me during the recent debate was the way some of the students acted as if their life has ended with the rejection. I think I might be branded as heartless by saying this, but I suspect many of them are just disappointed that they are not getting a chance to study overseas, rather than not getting the scholarship itself. The Singapore government offers Malaysians ASEAN scholarships every year that is based on merit, and it is quite straightforward to get if you have the right grades, which all these students have. So, instead of wailing and complaining, why not apply to this scholarship instead? Is it because studying in Singapore is not as glamorous and as exciting as studying in the UK and in the US?
Last but not least, throughout all these years of reunions, we have all seen many of our friends who did not get good grades but still became great successes today. This just goes to prove that grades are not everything in life. There are EQ, a strong sense of determination, ambition, preserverance, innovation, etc that play a big part.
5 comments:
I have the same doubt,can somebody
here explain why students nowadays can score so many "A's??
Younger generations are indeed getting better as they are better informed and educated by various means. The results only show the tip of the iceberg of what they are capable. If not, the civilisation is doom sooner.
In addition, as parents also are more educated and more informed knowledge is at hand easily. However, not necessary for the value of life whereby its mainly lacking.
TV/IT world had also expedited the learning process as to allow yound kids to adsorb faster at eyes or finger tips @ Moses/Rachel had already played laptop at their age not like their father had only have the chance to hold one after secondary school.
As for Mr. Tee's story, a minor amendment...he is one of A scorers but the the only one.
Definitely, the way forward is that children must learn how to practice their learned knowledge rather than just memorising them. A common knowledge from Public University that most of the A & B students will serve the C & D students because C & D students are better in practicality. I believe this is true as one may be good at books but other may be good that reading the life's facts/the art of survival just like those success story of TPK/LGT.
Good write-up! Our teachers would be in a better position to tell us today's standard is lower than yesteryears. (I was in SHS Form 5 in 1878).
I had this exact same conversation topic with my sister some time back...she has 3 boys who all do fairly well in their exam years, i.e. obtaining over 7As for their papers.
Our views are along Pat's train of thoughts. We don't believe students of yesteryears were less smart than today's students, neither do we think the other way round. Which can only bring to the conclusion that passing standards have been compromised.
Back in my sister's days of taking the HSC exam (upper 6), even those who were considered "smart" students couldn't get an A so easily. The As only went to those who were excellently smart.
I tell my nephews that their 'A's have become banana leaves - currency during the Japanese occupation days.
p/s I am sure our friend James Wong meant 1978
It's like a grapevine - from straight A's politicians who thinks (note i say thinks) they know what's best to straight A's teachers and so produces staight A's students.
[Hint: A's mentioned here should be read as their similar sounding opposite.]
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