tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post114761248647380337..comments2024-03-21T20:10:28.943+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Scholarship HeartbreaksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-49138075376525172172007-08-22T16:39:00.000+08:002007-08-22T16:39:00.000+08:00I work really hard for my spm and I wouldn't say i...I work really hard for my spm and I wouldn't say it is easy. I think I deserved getting straight A for all the effort that I make.<BR/><BR/>Yes I only take 9 subject and when I went to matrix for approximately 12 days before being offered to go to the states. I realized that there are kids that got more A's than me that didn't get any scholarship.Mind you they are bumis.<BR/><BR/>Out of curiosity I asked my officer why she picked me. She simply said because you leave me an impression and those that did not then simply failed the interview.<BR/><BR/>So really it's not about getting A's but more on the interview.It's how well you performed in the interview. <BR/><BR/>They don't want all that A's or being active in the club if you don't reflect all that in the interview.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1155455432353855242006-08-13T15:50:00.000+08:002006-08-13T15:50:00.000+08:00Has the SPM results improve in 2005?Think about it...Has the SPM results improve in 2005?<BR/><BR/>Think about it?<BR/><BR/>945 candidates score all 1A in all subjects out of the total of about 430,000 candidates. i.e. 0.25%<BR/><BR/>About 35,000 candidates score all G9 in all subjects they took.<BR/><BR/>The rest of the candidates are with mixture of A1, A2,,, to F9.<BR/>(about 400,000 candidates)<BR/><BR/>Every subject has about 10% of it's total number of candiddte who score 1A except Chinese has about 2%.<BR/><BR/>Is our SPM result good.<BR/><BR/>Most of the student who do well with full 1A are hightlighted in the papers everyday... As if scoring 1A is so easy.<BR/><BR/>What about 35,000 candidites who get all F9 in all subject they take?. No one knows...Why the papers never hightlight them...<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>The public FoolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1155272012048053182006-08-11T12:53:00.000+08:002006-08-11T12:53:00.000+08:00Just a suggestion here after reading your "distres...Just a suggestion here after reading your "distressful" thoughts.<BR/>This thread could go on for AGES and never have an end even if the cows have came home and died.<BR/>Wirte a petition to JPA and get media coverage from The Star.<BR/>Then propose that PSD gives pre-university scholarships oversea or the undersea. Then make them earn scholarships for undergraduate programmes themselves through big corperations and universities instead of spoon-feeding them until they are graduates. The money then can be spreaded out more effeciently and you will be more suprise how many people can benefit from it. I strongly suggest that JPA also covers scholarship for STPM student because everytime I read about excellent STPM students not getting into local universites (due to quota), I wonder what would become of them for their effort and time they have pump in just to find out that they are working as a salesman/woman earning RM800+- a month and they got to feed a family. Are they to suffer somemore seeing the "friends" who did not score better but are in UM, UKM etc, etc... Just imagine that you are one of the left-outed student.<BR/>If you are wondering about matriculation students (mostly bumi students), read reports and you will see these "advanced students" are having an easier time getting into local universities. I'm taking SPM this year and my school counselor was "promoting" matriculation and said that is much more easier for bumi(s) to enter because of the quota set.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1153056347605697412006-07-16T21:25:00.000+08:002006-07-16T21:25:00.000+08:00Let me share my experience in my bid to secure a J...Let me share my experience in my bid to secure a JPA scholarship.<BR/><BR/>In 2004 I was shortlisted to the final cut: the interview. Due to the escalating number of short-listed candidates (and also lack of time as well), JPA could not hold a one-by-one interview. Hence group interviews were done.<BR/><BR/>Prior to the interview, we were informed during the briefing that it'd be forum-like. But during the real interview, we're only allowed to speak if the interviewer permitted. So I can say that'd the first drawback as some of us really didn't get the opportunity to demonstrate our abilities in our language skills and general knowledge.<BR/><BR/>The second drawback was the fact that it was really really disheartening for me and other English-proficient speakers to observe that there were some candidates that actually cannot string a proper sentence in English (How the heck they got short-listed in the first place, plus with only 6 A's?). Don't ask me more about these candidates. You get the drift.<BR/><BR/>The only good thing about the interview was that we had the opportunity to prove our co-curriculum participation by handing in our transcripts to the JPA's reps to be reviewed during the interview.<BR/><BR/>Though I didn't get the scholarship in the end (though I may have commendable co-curricular achievements and hailed from an average income family), I was content with the experience (It shows many things you'll either treasure it or be amused with it).<BR/><BR/>No surprise. Children of doctors, business tycoons and Datuks got the scholarships. Shall I say that perhaps only the number of 1A's and/or race matters?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, currently JPA adapt the entrance exam style. The candidates nowadays must write an English essay during the interview. Will that help to clear the doubt? I don't know. What say you?<BR/><BR/>Anyhow I didn't get it so I chose Form 6. It's not the end of the world after all. At least I have another chance to prove myself. Hopefully someday my talents would be recognised.the lynxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00879640862475473879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1151506109758746362006-06-28T22:48:00.000+08:002006-06-28T22:48:00.000+08:00These are the dissapointing stories that recur and...These are the dissapointing stories that recur and worsen every year. "Good complement" was givin to the previous "E"- Minister. Bravo Tony. I see no constructive matter done but oppression. <BR/><BR/>There are moment we all feel dissapointed and is getting frust upon this seemingly oppressive act by these irresponsible people in power. However, there are a couple of opinions I would like to discuss with all. <BR/><BR/>1. Like it or not the education systems in this country is seemingly a child play to all. From Malay Language conversion in the 70s to 3M. It's getting sickening. Generations were ruined. Thousands of capable young enthusiast young generation was strainded by the requirement of C6 in BM. It more like a killing weapons than creating sense of patriotism. Unfortunately, like it or not this is the fact of life in this country and is unlikely to change for the next few generations. Why don't we play the game at their rules and WIN! e.g. there are numerous BM experts are not Malay. Leave alone other subjects which were deliberately and forcefully convert from English to Malay ... for about 2 decade which now reverted. The point is, we can feel frust. We also must know that we need to live here. Unless alternatives are available, please bear in mind that we live in this system. So bear with it and of course be triumph!!<BR/><BR/>2. I personally more concern with the fact that there are approx 25% drop out among chinese youth. I think we should spend more effort in improving this trend or we could revert to the age where the community work as coolies. <BR/><BR/>3. Opportunity of studies is desperately needed. Both tertiary and skill vocational education. There are some politician working on that but unfortunately with limited achievements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1151463443284688792006-06-28T10:57:00.000+08:002006-06-28T10:57:00.000+08:00i agree that PSD scholarship hopefuls may not nece...i agree that PSD scholarship hopefuls may not necessary have a prospecful career..especially for non-malays where they will be sent to unknown and not internationally recognized universities and their only option is working within the boundary of malaysia...lets not bank on the government for our acedemic well-being...1 way or 2 we can find a way to further our studies without government's help...seek opportunity in our neighbour loh, singapore ..to avenge ur being a jpa reject then work there...so msia will experience tremendous brain drain..can only rely on its low currency exchange and cheap labour for its continual economic survival..want to talk about innovation , R&D, sciinctifc breakthrough, let them w8 1000 yrs la..since msia talents and geniuses have fled overseas .....wahahaahhAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1150884914661323742006-06-21T18:15:00.000+08:002006-06-21T18:15:00.000+08:00Cheer up... 10 or 20 years from now, you might eve...Cheer up... 10 or 20 years from now, you might even tell yourself how lucky you are to have your JPA scholarship application rejected. In fact, it might not even be important if you are a graduate or not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1149995578247897042006-06-11T11:12:00.000+08:002006-06-11T11:12:00.000+08:00Yeah, imagine that... MIT / Stanford trained engin...Yeah, imagine that... MIT / Stanford trained engineering graduate on a JPA scholarship, but forced to work for the Jabatan Bekalan Air Kuala Kangsar for 10 years... under a superior who graduated from UTM!<BR/><BR/>This is a hard reality about scholarships. I have heard of many stories from my former school teachers whom after accepting state scholarships,ended-up as teachers even though they graduated as engineers / chemists / economiest etc-etc. <BR/><BR/>The fact is that you handed over your career future to the scholarship bonders (government) when you should be bargaining with prospective employers in matters about salaries, benefits, stock-options etc-etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1149510865485915982006-06-05T20:34:00.000+08:002006-06-05T20:34:00.000+08:00To Anon Mon Jun 05, 04:56:41 PMI think is because ...To Anon Mon Jun 05, 04:56:41 PM<BR/><BR/>I think is because you can't get and in order to please yourself you said this thing. I would say you are the most stupid in the world. People give you free and you also don't want. Do you know that others programme the bond is only 4 years or you pay back only 10K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1149497801595631582006-06-05T16:56:00.000+08:002006-06-05T16:56:00.000+08:00Accepting a Malaysian Government Scholarship is th...Accepting a Malaysian Government Scholarship is the most stupid thing to do. You only think of short term.. but you must realised that once you accept it you are bonded by the Government for 10 years! That is no way to build a career. Your career depends on continuation of on the job training / experiences and perhaps the worst thing is that your experiences with the Malaysian Government isn't highly valued by the private or foreign multinationals in foreign countries! And worst, you may be stuck in a dead-end government job, without any promotion for the rest of your life!<BR/><BR/>I remember of my medical student friends in UM during my student days.. One of them told me that the JPA automatically gave all of them scholarships without even the students asking/applying for it and they are required to serve the government for 10 years! My friend told me, that all of them rejected the scholarships.<BR/><BR/>So, think about it... It is not a decision that effects only 4 / 5 years of your life but perhaps your entire life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1148686524474962032006-05-27T07:35:00.000+08:002006-05-27T07:35:00.000+08:00Tiara said... 'NOBODY asked for my As. NO ONE'. We...Tiara said... <BR/>'NOBODY asked for my As. NO ONE'. <BR/><BR/>Well I guess it depends on what field you are in. If you are in the entertainment field, of course As don't really matter. But in a truly professional field, results are proportional to the amount of theoretical and practical knowledge you have. Guess I don't have to remind you the difference between a doctor with a 1st class honours and one with a 3rd class. It could mean life or death.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1148041614755792522006-05-19T20:26:00.000+08:002006-05-19T20:26:00.000+08:00To anon(may 18 03:53:05PM) No straight A's student...To anon(may 18 03:53:05PM) <BR/>No straight A's student in Malaysia is like a memorizing machine, even the most introverted has his or her fair share of maybe creativity, skills and so on....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147938785787449322006-05-18T15:53:00.000+08:002006-05-18T15:53:00.000+08:00The government doesn't need to be 100% transparent...The government doesn't need to be 100% transparent in the way they give out scholarships..but this is SOOOO OBVIOUS!!! come on man..everyone who is not ignorant knows that the government is protecting the Malays..everyone knows that they are trying to help Malay students to get reasonable grades and so on... and this is exactly y Malaysia can never hope to achieve world class education standards..let alone be a developed country by 2020...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147875685727866922006-05-17T22:21:00.000+08:002006-05-17T22:21:00.000+08:00X-man, do you mean that only straight A's students...X-man, do you mean that only straight A's students are given scholarhips? Even if they are just bookworms or just memorising machines with nothing else in their mind? Without curricular activities, creativity, interacting skills, etc. Nothing? <BR/><BR/>Or we prefer an all-rounder?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147875576631320772006-05-17T22:19:00.000+08:002006-05-17T22:19:00.000+08:00How is this for a start...when I was doing my pre-...How is this for a start...when I was doing my pre-U in a government-owned college, non-Malays tended to take the top 15 places in every semester exams. And there were only about 35 non Malays in the whole college. You talking about meritocracy? Go figure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147874349157792252006-05-17T21:59:00.000+08:002006-05-17T21:59:00.000+08:00In response to anonymous above:"There is nothing w...In response to anonymous above:<BR/><BR/>"There is nothing wrong with improving standards even if it means having to sacrifice statistics."<BR/><BR/>OK. Let's make BM (and other subjects too, of course) tougher since people are complaining that it's too easy. Let's hope nobody complain that it's TOO hard after this.<BR/><BR/>"There is a difference between "not meeting requirements" and being discriminated. Do bear that in mind."<BR/><BR/>With due respect, do you receive any reply or justification if you fail your job interview?<BR/><BR/>"Yes, if precedence must be set, then so be it. It is better to suffer now, than to suffer later. We cannot just close our eyes and let injustice prevail."<BR/><BR/>You seem not to see the bigger problem if that kind of precedent is set. Everytime someone fails an interview, he can complain to higher authority, he can write in newspapers, he can ask for help from political leaders or he can write bad things about it in the internet. In your own words "any developed country has its fair share of dropouts and unemployment rates", and same goes that all interviews are bound to have people who will not get through it, and these people will complain. If this is the kind of system you want to be implemented, I am sure more of your so-called "discriminatory policies" will happen.<BR/><BR/>I agree that meritocracy should be the way to go, but how can it happen if people can't stop b*tching everytime they don't get through? You want meritocracy, we give meritocracy. Only straight-As students get JPA scholarship. Period.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147866604290410852006-05-17T19:50:00.000+08:002006-05-17T19:50:00.000+08:00In response to X-man above:If you say that SPM sho...In response to X-man above:<BR/><BR/><I>If you say that SPM should be made tougher, wouldn't that deny the weaker students to even pass or get a credit in any given subject, therefore causing an increase in the number of SPM failures?</I><BR/><BR/>I totally disagree with you. There is nothing wrong with improving standards even if it means having to sacrifice statistics. US universities, especially ivy's, are already preparing to implement stricter enforcement on grade distribution. Increasing number of failures will only further inspire students to work harder. Giving out free candy is NOT the way to go. Besides, any developed country has its fair share of dropouts and unemployment rates. Only Malaysia is foolish enough to falsify these figures so that we can achieve developed status by taking shortcuts. But make no mistake, this is a recipe for disaster when the next generation who takes over are people who have lived their lives on crutches.<BR/><BR/><I>In any job interview or university application interview here or anywhere in his world, there is no obligation for the interviewing party to disclose the reason(s) why they don't accept you, be it Harvard or Oxford or whatever so-called "Equal Opportunity" employer. They just say "SORRY, your application has been REJECTED. Try again next time." If you don't suit their requirements, they won't accept you, as simple as that.</I> <BR/><BR/>There is a difference between "not meeting requirements" and being discriminated. Do bear that in mind.<BR/><BR/><I>So, demanding transparency would create a new precedent to allow more politics, outside influence and interference to happen. Is that what you want?</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, if precedence must be set, then so be it. It is better to suffer now, than to suffer later. We cannot just close our eyes and let injustice prevail. <BR/><BR/><I>As usual, racial biasness is the easiest excuse you can give if you don't get what you think you deserve, but bear in mind, there are many other good students out there who are better than you, without you knowing it.</I><BR/><BR/>While I do understand what you're trying to convey, again, I totally disagree with you given the current situation with how scholarships are given or how discriminatory policies are administered in the context of promotions, civil service, and training schemes. The stories are blatantly obvious, you can read it from the papers. What you are trying to say is akin to simply giving up and be damned for we have no optimism in life. You seem to exactly match the profile of Freud's Defense Mechanism theory on Rationalizing our failures.<BR/><BR/><I>If you say that there are some Government conspiracies to only favour certain part of society, then what are you proposing? Transparency? Since when transparency has ever been accepted as the norm for an interview?</I><BR/><BR/>Meritocracy and transparency should and must be implemented. If not in the short term, then we should try achieving it in the long run. For any country to be truly developed, it MUST prescribe to these ideologies. Period.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147863109124401752006-05-17T18:51:00.000+08:002006-05-17T18:51:00.000+08:00Guys,The number of good students increases every y...Guys,<BR/><BR/>The number of good students increases every year. The number of scholarships increases too, but at a lower rate compared to the above, due to limited budget. Hence, the problem of high demand and low supply.<BR/><BR/>If you accuse that SPM is easy, then it is justified for only students with straight A1s to get it.<BR/><BR/>If you say that SPM should be made tougher, wouldn't that deny the weaker students to even pass or get a credit in any given subject, therefore causing an increase in the number of SPM failures?<BR/><BR/>If you say that there are some Government conspiracies to only favour certain part of society, then what are you proposing? Transparency? Since when transparency has ever been accepted as the norm for an interview?<BR/><BR/>In any job interview or university application interview here or anywhere in his world, there is no obligation for the interviewing party to disclose the reason(s) why they don't accept you, be it Harvard or Oxford or whatever so-called "Equal Opportunity" employer. They just say "SORRY, your application has been REJECTED. Try again next time." If you don't suit their requirements, they won't accept you, as simple as that. So, demanding transparency would create a new precedent to allow more politics, outside influence and interference to happen. Is that what you want?<BR/><BR/>As usual, racial biasness is the easiest excuse you can give if you don't get what you think you deserve, but bear in mind, there are many other good students out there who are better than you, without you knowing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147858314471980182006-05-17T17:31:00.000+08:002006-05-17T17:31:00.000+08:00dear friends,Being a PSD Scholarship reject myself...dear friends,<BR/>Being a PSD Scholarship reject myself, i truly understand how it feels to be pushed aside. I secured 11A1s in my SPM 2003. I consider myself as an active person in school and I have involved in many activities ranging from school level to national level...<BR/> Too bad.. I never thought I would be rejected.<BR/>I remembered having a hard time trying to apply for it-stuck in National Service ( Summerset, Kuala Rompin camp,deserted area )... <BR/>my dad, a general worker, and my mum, a devoted housewife were very dissapointed when i was rejected.<BR/>Well, I just cant give up like that cuz i have 4 younger school-going sibling to set example for.<BR/>Did my STPM last year...straight As..<BR/><BR/>dear Chin Hooi and all of u...<BR/>never give up on urself...<BR/>LIFE PASSES BY TOO QUICKLY TO ALLOW A LITTLE PROBLEM TO GET YOU DOWN <BR/><BR/>as you walk along life's path, no matter how many obstacles u encounter, hope u'll find the torch to shine your way..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147796167503278402006-05-17T00:16:00.000+08:002006-05-17T00:16:00.000+08:00but the generation prior that's currently having t...but the generation prior that's currently having to fork out unbelieveable amounts of money just so that their kids can have a decent education came from the 70s-80s. and if you realized, that era wasn't exactly the booming years where newly-weds and those just startin a family was able to set aside funds for their childrens education. <BR/><BR/>these days, a student attending to private colleges/universities are having to spend at least RM70k-100k just to study locally. what about those who go overseas? i reckon it's at least RM150k but more likely around RM200k just for a first degree. multiply that by the avg number of children (i believe 3) and u get something like RM300k-500k just for higher education. and we haven't included other educational costs throughout their lives e.g. tuition, books, supplies, etc.<BR/><BR/>education in Malaysia is a gold mine. every private college knows that. and it's sad that students and parents are having to bear the most of it. if our public universities were of good standing, we wouldn't have the problem of thousands of families having to mortgage houses, sell-off cars, etc. just to send their kids overseas for a first degree.<BR/><BR/>then the sad truth hits these graduates when they return - poor pay, long hours, etc. and to make matters worst, the gov then has the chic to label these graduates who work overseas as not patriotic?!? little do they realise that the main reason why these graduates refuse to return is so that they can pay off their loans and other financial problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147792305787630322006-05-16T23:11:00.000+08:002006-05-16T23:11:00.000+08:00I agreed with what yusli mustaffa just mentioned. ...I agreed with what yusli mustaffa just mentioned. It is good to plan for the children education. However, not to forget that primary and secondary education these days itself already take up a big chunk of the family resources. Unlike 50 years ago where children is an asset (started working at 5), they are now purely (expensive!) liability to parents. As such, we need meritocracy here to ensure that the nation limited resources is wisely channeled to "exploit" the full talents of academically excellent students. And of course opportunities should also accorded to the not that well to do families too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147791158236675022006-05-16T22:52:00.000+08:002006-05-16T22:52:00.000+08:00That' why me must have a saving for education. par...That' why me must have a saving for education. parents must obtain insurance or takfulfor education.<BR/><BR/>Http://tutorakaun.blogspot.comYUSLI MUSTAFFAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13350392260171286884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147774331278652452006-05-16T18:12:00.000+08:002006-05-16T18:12:00.000+08:00To Anon tue may 16, 10:36:20 amIf you failed BM, n...To Anon tue may 16, 10:36:20 am<BR/><BR/>If you failed BM, not only you can't enter form 6 but you failed your whole SPM. You got X and no cert.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147772939229471422006-05-16T17:48:00.000+08:002006-05-16T17:48:00.000+08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1147771062530496952006-05-16T17:17:00.000+08:002006-05-16T17:17:00.000+08:00Our government is bound by law to help the bumis....Our government is bound by law to help the bumis. 30 years of NEP, and you see the effects. So why the whining and bitching? We all know the realities of life here in Malaysia. No point making noise. Nothing's gonna change. <BR/><BR/>But what we can do is work harder. Find alternative sources of funding. I tell you, it's a hell of a good training and definitely builds character. We compete among ourselves. It sucks, but when you succeed, you will damn sure your life's gonna be all good from then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com