Today I attended a programme in Kuala Krai to fete a few students that did really well at the recent SPM exam despite the many challenges they faced. There were a few of them, but we chose these 3, 2 boys and a girl. What's so great about them? These are poor students. Did poorly academically, economically challenged. Some lost a father or a mother, yet the girl managed to score 5As, while the boys both obtained 6As. One of the boys has never obtained any A for Mathematics, but he did it for SPM.
We met their parents, father or mother and they are still in shock with what the children achieved. The children are also still in shock and is still allowing all the fuss on this to sink in. Let me really explain what they achieved. Their results when they were in the fourth form and earlier in the fifth form, was really bad. How bad? They failed almost all subjects. But with this programme? They turned the Gs (Gagal or Fail) to As and Cs. That's what's so tremendous.
They live in dilapidated homes, lost one or the other parent, barely have pocket money, their homes is far away from the main road, many faced flooding, no proper water supply, yet they achieved much. A lot! I am inspired! My son also sat for SPM this year. He lives in a comfortable home, he is picked and sent to school, he has both his parents, ample pocket money, he studied in a private school yet his results while good was not like what they achieved.
Of course, every child is different faced with different challenges of their own yet what they achieved in their circumstances is absolutely amazing. My son too managed to overturn a failure into a Credit for his Additional Maths. When I look at this children I can't help but wonder how many more children we have forsaken just because we didn't provide them some opportunities to realise their potential.
How many more that's being given privilege such as my son just wasted their time away just because they too were not given the attention that they rightfully deserve. I do hope that our system no longer streams students according to their perceived abilities. Because based on what I have seen yesterday there are no hopeless children. Everyone can realise the potential. We can definitely break the poverty cycle, the inherited poverty. And all that is needed is for everyone to come together. In this instance a programme initiated by a government agency such as ECERDC, is supported and financed by an organisation such as Yayasan PETRONAS, implemented by another organisation such as UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA) supported by the Department of Education and manned by dedicated teachers and motivators with the right system, methods and structure.
If this can be done in Kuala Krai, Kelantan in rural areas that is lacking in a lot of amenities, this can be done anywhere. The only thing they had going are dedicated administrators and teachers with a lot of passion. When I heard their presentation, I can hear passion in their voices and that too is inspirational.
As some of you may have read, I am facing some personal challenges of my own, but watching these children, listening to these teachers, observing the dedication of the people from all these organisations, my issues are pittance, and I can definitely overcome. I just need to get my act together. It is never too late to learn whatever age we are.
I am far away from my children but that should not stop me from continuing to inspire and motivate them. Okay I need to go now. I'm catching a flight shortly to meet with my children and then to attend our Management Forum tomorrow. Big day ahead. Have a good day everyone.
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