Something Wasn't Right Here

I was tempted to message Xan, Alvin and Preeti yesterday morning.

The message is still in Drafts, goes something like this:

Whatever happened to glory Man Utd? VIVA BARCELONA!!!

Sorry Man Utd fans, no offence (picture is added to take away the 'only words' effect). I'm not even a Barcelona fan, I'm just one of those who anti-MU. Please don't hunt me down and quarter me. =]

Alright, alright. To the topic, shall we?

What stopped me from pestering them was firstly, I'm a good girl (yeah right); secondly, the Chinese newspaper headlines.

No not the loan shark chaining people thing. The thing about PSD scholarship and limiting the number of subjects a student can take for SPM: 10 subjects.

1. 10 is such a small number.

Isn't 10 subjects a little too... little? I don't know about the Arts students, but an average Science student has 10 core subjects already (since most schools insist their Science students take EST). Then they have to fork out money to take subjects like Chinese, Accounts, Literature in English, Malay Literature, Bible Knowledge, etc.

I don't think there's a problem with the number of subjects a student takes. If the student is interested, let him or her study it. In order for studying to have an iota of fun in it, a student must have interest in the subject. Moreover, I don't think the more A1s you get means you're more entitled to the scholarship. It is an open secret as to how the grades shift up and down the scale.

2. The more you have, does not necessarily mean the merrier it is.

The new rule: students who achieve 13 A1s and above can straight away get a scholarship; most students with 12 A1s can qualify for it as well. I find this intolerable. As mentioned earlier, the grades shift up and down every year. I was an SPM candidate, I know what my peers were worried about last year.

When most students find that the paper is more inclined towards the easy area, we worry because it is generally believed that the standard will be pushed up higher, maybe you have to get 85% to get an A1. When a paper in difficult, we believe that even with marks like 60% you can get an A1.

SPM is not meant to judge a student's intelligence, it is only telling the world how good the student is at memorising and vomitting every single detail in the book. Most students say that Malay and Chinese are the most difficult subjects, why? Simply because it is a language subject, a very subjective paper. Students are afraid of essays, the only thing in SPM that truly shows where you stand at: amongst the weak or the strong.

An examination should be about applying techniques and skills learned and understood, not about memorising and not care to understand it.

3. Interviews are not invented for you to have small talk.

I read that interviews only take up 5% which was a shock to me. To me, interview is the most crucial part because that's when people get to see who you really are and whether your personality and manners match your results.

There are students who are pure geniuses, but they don't know how to socialise, or they're introverts. There are students who get 13 A1s but they can't speak fluent English or Malay, they're only good at it on paper. There are students who are geniuses who are arrogant. There are geniuses who only read their textbooks and reference book but do not know what is happening in the world.

Should the government give them the scholarship? I don't think so. The PSD is only offering around 2000 units of scholarships. It is scarce, only the best can get them, and only the best deserve to get them. Best, as in versatile, an all rounder, not only smart but wise. The crème de la crème.

4. Maybe I shouldn't say this because they might detain me under ISA with Mas Selamat.

I know the ratio was 90:10 and now it has been changed to 65:35. Could it... is it alright... I don't know but I think it'll be better... should I say this?

Erm (try to sound like an Ah Lian), Mr. Prime Minister aa... can it be 50:50?

Ok they're coming to catch me I better run. It's the quota. 65% solely for bumiputeras (Malays and the Orang Asli) is quite a lot? 35% for non-bumiputeras (Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, etc) to share is a teensy-weensy bit insufficient...

Oh no use thinking about this because it won't happen.

5. There are still other scholarships.

For those who didn't get the PSD scholarships, it's not the end of the world, you know. There are other scholarships up for grabs, but mostly for those who are keen on doing diplomas. Colleges are giving scholarships as well.

Those who want to fly overseas straight away can check out Abbey College, I think they're sending some representatives to Malaysia soon. Cheer up people =]