A 12-year-old Malaysian student recently went viral after proudly revealing that he failed his English test, scoring only 26%. Despite the poor grade, the Standard 6 student seemed indifferent, offering a rather unconventional reasoning behind his performance.
In his TikTok post, the boy stated, “Why did I fail my English test? Because I am not British.”

Passes Islamic Studies with flying colours
In another TikTok video, the student highlighted a subject he deemed essential to pass—Islamic Studies—where he achieved a 68% score.

“I passed my Islamic Studies test because I’m a Muslim,” he remarked, expressing pride in the result.
The student also showcased his passion for basikal lajak, a type of modified bicycle that has gained notoriety in Malaysia. His posts further amplified concerns among social media users about youth attitudes toward education.
Netizen: BI & BM are equally important
His lack of concern about improving his grade sparked a mixed reaction online, with many questioning his attitude toward academics.
“Later when you enter university, don’t panic, okay?,” one wrote.

“Even [some of] the British can speak Malay!”

“Just because you’re Malay, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn English, right??? If you go study abroad, you’ll still need English, dear.”

“English (BI) and Malay (BM) are both important, you know!”

A trend on TikTok
A quick search on TikTok shows several students displaying their low English test results, with some even celebrating their failures.
These TikTok videos often feature students showing their test papers with poor grades, accompanied by humorous or dismissive captions.
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Many adopt a nonchalant attitude, claiming that English proficiency isn’t essential for their lives.
As education remains a cornerstone of personal and societal development, the importance of fostering a growth mindset and valuing academic success continues to be emphasized by many.
