A sudden emergence of brilliance

A’s galore – Is this for real? 

(Aliran) So many students these days obtain a string of A's in public examinations. And yet, most people who were in school, say 50 years ago, can recall how difficult it was in those days to obtain an ‘A’ for any subject in the study syllabus, observes Inhindsight.


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written by anon, April 03, 2010 11:51:05

Why is everyone so shocked that students are getting straight As? This is 2010 not the 1950s, 60s or even 70s. In the 50s and 60s there were exams in Standard 6 and if you fail you're out - which has its disadvantages too, then LCE and MCE (before this SC). Finally, HSC - to toughest exam before you get into (if you do) a University.

Remember our names appeared in the newspaper for all to see?

Degrees were world recognized. Then came the 80s and 90s. By this time of course degrees were not recognized outside this country except for perhaps some Univs where millions were 'donated' ( I was told) to hand the degree on a silver platter. Ohio State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indon Univs, some Russian ones, Ukraine for example.  

Veteran Malays who had post-Form Five (TTC?) qualification were sent to Leeds and York to do their Masters programme! From Form 5 - to Masters! They lived in their own little 'kampong' in Leeds and York (as related to me by them) and returned as Lecturers in Universities! They come back and spoke like they never stepped outside their local kampongs. And that is the language they teach - and it's not B. Melayu of course. I mean, why go all the way to England to study BM? The Brits speak English.

These kampong Malays kept to themselves - they never wanted to mix with the locals (the Brits)...you know, come Hari Raya, it's 'All in the Family' - ketupat and rendang, syrup and karaoke. 


The wiser Malays mingled with the locals and these Malays came back, served their 7 year mandatory stint (some paid it off) then migrated ...to England and the U.S. 

People like me on the other hand had to struggle to get good results in the HSC exam then obtain a degree, followed by a Diploma in Education and only then go on to do Masters.

In other words, my good Bumi friends, skipped all and did their Masters Programme (which by the way was a 9 month programme) - skipping 'A' levels or HSC AND a basic degree - conveniently get their Masters degree. 

These 'Masters' churn-outs did not learn much as their knowledge of the language was about the same prior to leaving for England.

So what is their Masters degree equivalent to?

My point now is simply this: Why is everyone shocked at students getting 10As or 15As?

This is the 21st century and it is also 1Malaysia - where everything is possible