For many Malaysians, the universal sentiment shared is the undeniable anxiety associated with exam situations. It's widely acknowledged that Malaysian exams, particularly those like SPM, are known for their challenging nature, often involving a grade adjustment based on the average scores.
Stepping into the examination hall, many of us might find ourselves in the disconcerting situation of staring blankly into the distance, grappling with questions, and resorting to the common practice of "tembak" – attempting to guess an answer, either in the hope of correctness or simply to avoid leaving it unanswered.
But to what extent will we just give a random answer?
Student Says ‘Only Allah Can Test Us’ For One Of Their Answers During 2024 SPM Exams
Recently, a student took an unconventional approach by asserting that the exam paper lacked the authority to "test" them; only divine assessment by God could hold such privilege. The revelation, originally shared by @brgsjks on X, involved a Computer Science exam paper that has since been deleted. This particular assessment posed a challenge to students, requiring them to delve into a question concerning foreign keys.
Rather than addressing the question at hand, the student took a whimsical approach, jotting down phrases with a comedic flair, often seen in trending TikTok videos. Additionally, the student candidly conveyed sentiments about the undue difficulty of the exam and questioned the necessity of taking it in the first place. Here are some highlights of the student's expressions:
“Only Allah (God) can test us. It’s difficult for a squirrel to jump, and it’s even harder to (study) Basic Computer Science.”
“Studied for other chapters but another chapter comes up instead. What is this? Mum wants to follow, NO NEED! Time is almost up, where did the answer go? (It) went for a vacation.”
“I surrender myself at this moment to the ruler of the heavens and earth, because I am sincere, O Allah.”
Not The First Time This Has Happened
Certainly, with the reputation of SPM exams consistently grabbing attention, it's important to note that this incident is not an isolated occurrence. There have been multiple instances where students have offered nonchalant or inappropriate responses during the examinations.
Watch on TikTok
A secondary school teacher emphasized the urgency of reinstating UPSR examinations in a post, sharing the unconventional answers his students provided during the recent exams.
Concern Sparks Over The Current Education System
The posted image triggered a significant backlash from netizens, who perceived the students' attitude as disrespectful and indicative of a lack of seriousness towards their education. Numerous online platforms subsequently reshared the post, with users expressing their concerns and outrage over the incident.
Here’s some of the comments:
The online community has expressed dismay over these attitudes, emphasizing that even if students find it challenging to answer questions, maintaining a level of decorum and refraining from criticizing the examination questions would be more appropriate.
Reactions varied from disappointment to genuine concern regarding the potential implications these behaviours might have on the students' futures. Both educators and parents have observed a troubling and escalating trend of diminishing educational quality in Malaysia in recent years.
International standardized assessments have quantified this decline, with Malaysian students consistently scoring below global averages. Notably, in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which assesses 15-year-old students in areas such as reading, mathematics, and science, Malaysia ranked in the bottom third among OECD countries.
Finland ranked #1 in PISA few years ago and Singapore ranked #2
— Anas Banas (@ans47) January 24, 2024
From there we know that EXAM IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR
What did we do? We removed UPSR & PT3 centralised exam without looking at other things such as
1. Human behaviour in Malaysia
2. Malaysia law regarding… pic.twitter.com/qQOSYfxYi8
Furthermore, results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) placed Malaysian students in the bottom 25% for both mathematics and science.
It is imperative to address this crisis with impactful reforms to ensure that future generations of graduates possess the attitudes, skills, and knowledge necessary to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Neglecting to take action could result in a generation unprepared for higher education or employment, exacerbating socioeconomic challenges.
Hopefully, the government is diligently taking note of critical aspects and strategically planning for the future ahead, as the current state of affairs cannot persist any longer. The education system must not falter, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders of our nation.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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