PSD Scholarships, SPM, STPM, etc.
By Syed Akbar Ali
Firstly I think the STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia) which used to be known as the Higher School Certificate or HSC – in the form that it exists until today (or has for the past 40 years or more) is not effective or relevant to gain entry to Universities.
To me having the STPM and the HSC within the secondary school system are a waste of time. They merely serve as obstacles to prevent students from getting a place in Government universities. The degree of complexity of the subjects taught at the STPM levels might as well be thought in the 1st year at the Universities and colleges.
Where possible I will give real examples and proofs.
The fact that the Asasi Sains and the Matrikulasi Centers were set up also about 40 years ago to take out promising Malay students from suffering under the outdated HSC and later STPM system is proof enough that even the Government did not want to put Malay students through the HSC or STPM system.
Even in the UK the ‘A’ Levels (the equivalent of the old HSC or the present STPM) has undergone tremendous changes.
In the ‘A’ Levels run by London University, their A Level exams are actually split over three semesters, a Part 1, 2 and 3. Students take their A level examination over a period of time, and not all at one time. You can also retake any Part if you did not like the grade and then only the better grade is counted.
