Andrea Maria Obek (sixth from left) receives the YB Datuk Lee Kim Shin special award of a trophy, a RM500 cheque and certificate from Lee at SMK St Joseph Miri Form Five graduation ceremony.
MIRI: Form Five students who will be sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination in three weeks were reminded to fully utilise their time now for last minute revision.
In making this call, Assistant Minister for Land and Air Transportation and Safety Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the SPM examination is critical as it would determine whether or not they could pursue tertiary studies.
“This SPM is to measure whether you all would be able to continue your studies at university, college, technical schools or you would just quit here.
“Having said so, whatever your decision is, it has to be made based on due considerations,” Lee said when officiating at SMK St. Joseph Miri Form Five graduation ceremony held at a leading hotel here yesterday.
Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, reminded students who may not be able to achieve excellence results not quit but find other ways to achieve their dreams.
“It depends on your hard work, persistence and discipline towards achieving your goals in life.
“Those who have talents in using their hands or those who have skills could take up courses in becoming technicians at any vocational schools or training institutes after SPM and you too could have a better future,” he said.
On another note, Lee also pointed out the important roles played by teachers and parents in determining the success of their students, children and the school’s performance.
He said parents and teachers could make use of smart phones to set up chat groups and monitor the performance of students in school.
“Nowadays, we can use Whatsapp to communicate which is very easy, cheap and fast. Some 130 SMK St Joseph Miri students will be sitting for the SPM examination this year.
Among those present were Miri District Education officer Dr Hassan Hasbollah and the school’s principal Ng Meng Heong.