In the ever-evolving landscape of education and employment, the debate over the significance of standardised tests like the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) continues to spark discussions.
While some argue that SPM results are not indicative of future success, recent social media incidents have shed light on the deeper implications of this examination and the attitudes surrounding it.
‘I earn RM3.5k, SPM is not everything’
A viral screenshot from a TikTok comment section captured a poignant exchange between a man boasting about his income despite failing SPM and an uncle who highlighted the success of his child with exemplary SPM results.
“I failed SPM, but now I earn RM3,500 a month at a company. SPM is not everything… hahahaha,” the man commented sarcastically.
“Alhamdulillah… but my child got straight As and is now working overseas, earning RM25,000 a month,” the uncle said sincerely.
The exchange, though seemingly trivial, encapsulated a larger narrative about the role of SPM in shaping one’s trajectory in life.
The man’s sarcastic comment, proudly proclaiming his monthly income of RM3,500 despite failing SPM, was met with a sobering response from the uncle, who revealed that his child, with stellar SPM grades, now enjoys a lucrative career overseas earning RM25,000 a month.
‘Don’t ever think SPM is useless’
This exchange, resonating with many netizens, stressed on the correlation between academic achievement and future opportunities.
Even though the guy did well despite failing his SPM, the uncle’s reply showed how important SPM is as a step in education.
One wrote: “Indeed, it’s not everything but knowledge is an indicator of how you think.”
Most people commenting agreed that we should recognise how important SPM is, but also encourage students to keep trying even if they face challenges.
Another commented: “SPM matters. Even if you didn’t get the best results, don’t worry. Just keep pushing forward. Trust that things will get better. And don’t ever think SPM is useless. If that were true, we might as well skip learning since kindergarten.”
One chimed in: “Because of this way of thinking, youngsters these days aren’t scared of failing SPM. They’re told you can still make good money even without it, but they don’t realise that bright minds often end up in professional careers, even if the pay check isn’t huge.”
Indeed, stories like the guy who did well despite failing his SPM can inspire others. But it’s also important to know that SPM results can really shape what opportunities you have in the future.
