LOS TEROPONG

So, read in the NST (Tuesday, June 14, 2005) that the Minister of Education would like to give ALL SPM top scorers a scholarship - IF HE HAS HIS WAYS. He wants to personally handle this case and was reported that he wants to meet the Director-General of the Public Service Department. The Education Minister and UMNO Youth Chief has a list of those who obtained A1s in all their SPM subjects. All these as reported in the newspaper. Hmmm .. here we go again. A few questions are begging for answers .. and with ALL due respect, it does not require a rocket scientist to figure this one out!!

I will proceed in point form;

• Are we all deaf or dumb or what?
• The PSD kept on saying that they could give MORE scholarships if the GOVERNMENT provided the department with additional allocations. HOW IS THIS NOT CLEAR?? Pray tell ..
• Why does the MOE talk as though they and the PSD are from different planets, they meet in Cabinet for goodness sake ...
• It does not matter if there is a list from Perlis to Sarawak, it all depends on allocations
• The PSD are not aware of those still without a scholarship??
  
• What is the DG of PSD gonna say to the MOE - give us more money, it is as simple as that - what else is he gonna say??
  
• Whay are we barking at the PSD when the Government supplies the funds - give the funds, what is there, why all the hoo-haa
• So next we shall see ALL SPM Top Scorers on their way to somewhere with a scholarship?
• ALL top scorers?? 13A1a?? 12A1s?? 11A1a?? 10A1s ... now we have the funds?? He said ALL, hmmm .....
  

Personally, it is sad that this NON-ISSUE is given or even exploited by the media. Equally sad that top officials get in the fray, wanting to do this and that, wanting to meet so and so and giving assurances of 'action', so to speak. Don't be like that .. professional all the way, except in extreme cases ... even in Islam, rules are rules, but in 'special' cases, or in what is termed as 'dharurat' or loosely translated as an 'emergency', then there are exceptions to the rule.

If we keep on being jumpy at the very solid guideline that has existed for so long ... I don't know, it would be difficult to operate. So now, SPM results are out, we have applications, we have interviews, rank them, offer places, give places within the budget given. Finish, case closed. This is not closure in finality, but for the moment, that's it. Life goes on ... sounds brutal, try ignorance and no education ...

Enough also of the media catching all the top scores parading their awards and certificates and feeling utterly disappointed as if it is the end of the world. It is not gonna change anything. We are not saying that they are not clever. They have worked hard. Everybody can show their good results and stuff ... but NOT ALL can get a scholarship!! It is tough to swallow, but swallow one must. If one can't cope with this small disappointment, I would hate to think how coping with the real world in the future is going to be ... for at the end of the day, the result is not the point; it is the effort to improve ourselves that is valuable. THERE IS NO END TO THIS PRACTICE.

Parents please do not demean this valuable lessons in your child's life by instilling such a myopic view. It is a long and winding road .... 'nuff said. Aiyaa, tak tau lah ...