As much protest the public had made and the many following debate asking for the abolishment of it, we have to face the fact, Malaysia’s education is exam-oriented.

It’s the safest and most systemic system the ministry can think of, and it requires the smallest type of sacrifice – the child’s imagination and childhood. Yes, it’s unfair and all that but face it, life isn’t fair in most cases and to look at it on the bright side, some “gifted kids” had proven that they can actually keep their imagination and childhood and live up as a recognized, respected adults that changed the world.

So, to get to my point, I decided on another boring day at school, while the teacher is babbling something about thinking about my future, that studying in Malaysia is like being mountain climbers. As simple as that, no more, no less.

Let’s start as a rookie. To start off, you need to learn the basic of mountain climbing, that’s the role of kindergarten. There, you’ll learn the correct way on how to climb the mountain, the equipments needed, some practice on climbing walls and some training to make sure you’re completely fit to actually climb a mountain. For those who didn’t get it, I was referring to how the teachers teach us, as my previous principal put it, the 3M which is Membaca, Menulis, Mengira (Read, Write, Count).

Now that you leaned the basic, lets start with your first challenge. Of course, no one’s stupid enough to climb Mount Everest as their first challenge. You’ll usually start with a smaller, less challenging mountain that needs lesser skills. This “smaller” mountain is represented by UPSR, which, to primary pupils, are super-important but became less significant the more you climb. There, you’ll learn the important lessons of mountain climbing, and some might not make it if they don’t have the passion or motivation.

Hurray for those who had make it, and I’m sure those who didn’t are now motivated for the next challenge. Now that we had passed the “easy” level, let’s try “moderate”. Although PMR isn’t as hard as the biggest mountain, it requires more skills then what you had when you were facing UPSR. Okay, now that you enjoyed the small triumph of UPSR and even the joyfulness of going down the mountain, let’s learn more about our next obstacle. Here, you learned on more skills that are crucial for the climb. Some might got stressed along the way, some might bail out, but for sure, those who didn’t will achieve a meaningful triumph to add in their diary – if they have any.

Now that it’s over, let’s be mentally prepared for the biggest challenge yet, Mount Kinabalu. This is the mountain crucial to prove yourself worthy for the world of mountain climbers and be prepared for any unexpected incidents. Please note that this climb is an entirely new level even for those who had passed the last mountain. SPM is the mountain that requires more, detailed skills and motivations for the climbers. Make sure your equipments are all packed and do your best for the joy of the peak.

After SPM depends on the climbers themselves. You might want to try bigger, more challenging mountains and then you might even try to own Mount Everest if that’s what you want. For those you failed SPM at the first try, feels free to try again and remember all the skills and equipments needed for The Climb.