A TOTAL of 370 outstanding SPM students in Bukit Mertajam recently received education incentives of RM237,000, courtesy of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, who is also Bukit Mertajam MP.
The award ceremony was held at SMJK(C) Jit Sin.
In his speech, Sim said the achievement of 370 students in Bukit Mertajam scoring 8As and above in the SPM examination this year made him extremely proud and reflected the continuous improvement in the area’s education standards.
He also noted that SPM results are not the end of life’s journey, but the beginning of a new chapter, and encouraged students to grow into compassionate, responsible individuals who are willing to give back to society.
Sim also reminded students that today’s achievement does not belong solely to them, but also to the parents, family members and teachers who had quietly supported them throughout their journey.
“When children face examinations, pressure and life’s challenges, the support of their families is often the driving force that keeps them going,” he said.
Among the recipients, 106 students who scored 8As received RM500 each, 141 students who obtained 9As received RM600 each, 118 students who achieved 10As received RM800 each, while five students who scored 11As received RM1,000 each.
Sim also paid tribute to teachers and shared a light-hearted story from his school days involving his headmaster.
He said that he was once reprimanded by his headmaster for keeping long sideburns when he was younger.
“My headmaster told me then: ‘If you can’t do small things well, you will not be given a bigger responsibility.’
“I still remember those words until today. In fact, I have never kept sideburns since then,” he said with a laugh.
He believed teachers often leave a lifelong impact on their students and stressed that society should never overlook the important role played by educators.
“All great leaders in the world began with teachers patiently guiding them to read and write. Without teachers, there would be no future talents for the nation,” he said.
Sim also called on corporations and financial institutions to continue investing resources into education development to create more opportunities and brighter futures for young people.
Also present at the event were Padang Lalang assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Seberang Perai City Councillor (MBSP) councillors Linda Ng and Yoganraj Thever.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of YB Steven Sim’s office