SPM Subject Cap - MCSC Letter to DG Education

4 June 2009

Yang Bhg. Dato’ Hj. Alimuddin bin Hj. Mohd Dom
Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran Malaysia,
Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia,
Aras 8, Blok E 8,
Komplex Kerajaan Parcel E,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62604 Putrajaya

Dear Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Hj Alimuddin bin Hj. Mohd Dom,

The Issue: Putting a Limit to the Maximum Number of Subjects a Candidate can take for the SPM Examination

  1. We, the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council, would like to state that we do NOT support putting a limit on the total number of subjects a candidate can take for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Examination for the following reasons:
    1. The SPM is an open certificate examination which gives wide choices for our students in line with the best practices of examinations in developed countries. In the current examination curriculum, the core subjects are already well defined and choices in the form of electives are made available. A candidate is free to take as many or as few of the non-core subjects as he or she wants to and is willing to pay for. This is a national examination and candidates are not just students but other private students or adults who wish to pursue knowledge. There is no reason why this freedom of choice should be curtailed.
    2. Malaysia is a diverse multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country and the examination curriculum has been developed over a period of time to meet the needs and aspirations of its citizens. Subjects such as Bahasa Iban, Bahasa China, Bahasa Tamil, Bahasa Punjab, Bahasa Arab, English Literature, Chinese Literature, Bible Knowledge, Tasawwur Islam, Pendidikan Syari’ah Islami’ah, etc.… are important for the sense of fulfillment of all citizens, including minority groups. Putting a limit of ten subjects for a candidate will definitely force candidates to drop subjects which they would otherwise want to take if allowed to. Over time, such subjects will be neglected and die a natural death. No one wishes this to happen. Our education system should be as far-sighted as possible and the examination system should provide the scope for a wide variety of students with different interests and abilities. It is definitely better for our education system to enrich society rather than to impoverish it.
    3. The current wide range of subjects meets the needs and aspirations of all communities and is therefore in line with the concept of 1 Malaysia and will provide a good platform for the spirit of 1 Malaysia to flourish. If the governing authorities were to cap the subjects that can be taken at ten subjects, a great deal of negative sentiments will inevitably be generated against the government of the day as many of these subjects are close to the hearts of the citizens. Why do we want to cause such disaffection towards the Government to take place?
    4. Another reason for enabling our students to take as many subjects as they can cope with is to fulfill the basic principle and practice of encouraging the pursuit of knowledge. Young minds are more versatile than people normally assume and can cope with a wide range of knowledge. Such extensive educational exposure will lay a good foundation for their life and in particular, the choice of their future vocations. Our young people have a wide variety of interests and talent which should be catered for within our national education system.
  2. We recognize that there is a real and recurring problem faced by the Government in the award of scholarships. To resolve this problem we propose that:
    bulletfor scholarship selection purposes only a maximum of ten subjects be taken into account. These ten subjects should consist of all the core subjects plus other elective subjects to make up the total of ten. Additional subjects and additional A1s (if any) are not taken into consideration. If there are further deadlock difficulties in the selection process, the absolute scores (actual marks) could be taken in consideration.
    bulletThe current grading system should be reviewed so that the value of an A1 will be further enhanced making it more difficult to attain.

Clearly, the issue of difficulties in the award of JPA scholarships is a separate matter and should not be resolved through limiting the subjects an SPM candidate can take. In fact the problem would remain and perhaps even aggravated, as long as the grading system is not reviewed. 

In conclusion, the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council wishes to appeal to the Ministry of Education not to take the retrogressive step of limiting the SPM subjects that a candidate can take to ten subjects only.

Yours faithfully,

Yin Kam Yoke
Hon. Secretary
Malayan Christian Schools Council

c.c.

1. Mr Yap Kok Keong
Chairman,
Malayan Christian Schools Council

2. Mr Tan Kong Beng
Executive Secretary
Christian Federation of Malaysia