Tuanku Syed Faizuddin (centre) with teachers and students of SMK Merpati.
SANDAKAN: Commitment and determination in your undertaking is the key to success in any field, said the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
“For example, students’ excellence is achieved through their main focus when learning in the classroom. Those who focus on the teachers will understand better and absorb useful information which can be applied in everyday life.
“Focus is necessary because it is a science. Studies have found that 50% of success is when students are focused on their teachers in the classroom. Therefore, I see this as a matter of importance for students to be focused,” said Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, when speaking to hundreds of students of SMK Elopura Bestari and SMK Merpati during his visit to both schools yesterday.
However, he said the success of a student is not only measured by academic achievements alone.
“A brilliant student must also have positive values such as discipline, religious abiding, respect for others and good manners which are very important in shaping the ideal personality. Good personality and individuality that will endear a person to those around him.
“As a teenager, friends will influence your nature and character. Therefore, I would advise that you hang out with friends who are successful and positive thinking so that you would be motivated and learn from their experience. Observe how they become personalities in society. Successful people often have remarkable personalities and charisma. It may not come naturally but you should try to emulate them, because if they can, then you can certainly do it too.
“You are the generation that will advance the state and nation. Therefore, I do not want to see young Malaysians being plagued with indiscipline that will prevent excellence. One cause for the increasingly widespread deterioration of discipline now is truancy. Reports have indicated that school truancy ranks among the highest percentage for indiscipline,” he added.
The Raja Muda further explained that truancy offers no promise nor excitement. Its negative effects affect learning, inflict self harm, waste time and energy of teachers and humiliating the dignity of the family.
It must be attended to seriously because like a ‘virus’ it will become starting point of other misconducts, such as vandalism, gangsterism, drug abuse, illegal racing and immoral activities, he said, adding that students must realise the importance of education for their future, think about positive and negative values and be responsible to learn and gain knowledge.