SMKPK Bumbong Lima Teachers’ Dedication Leads To Excellent SPM 2025 Results

KEPALA BATAS, April 5 (Bernama) -- The unwavering dedication of teachers at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SMKPK) Bumbong Lima, in nurturing students with special needs, particularly those with autism, has borne fruit, with the school’s 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates achieving excellent results.

Going beyond the syllabus, these teachers tailor their approaches to meet each student’s individual abilities.

School principal Rosiah Mohamad Ariff said the success reflects the collective efforts of teachers who never gave up in guiding students with special educational needs (MBPK) through learning and examination challenges.

“Teachers here do more than just teach - they act as mentors, motivators and even friends to the students. They understand the emotional and behavioural needs of autistic students, who require different approaches.

“Some spend extra time outside school hours to ensure students truly understand a topic before moving on to the next stage, while also using various techniques to maintain their focus,” she told Bernama.

Operating since October 2023, the school, which was officiated by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, admits students across all categories of special educational needs (MBPK), including hearing, visual, speech and physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and multiple disabilities.

Of the six SPM 2025 candidates - four with autism and two with learning difficulties - all achieved excellent results.

Rosiah said that the school has 51 teachers, but only eight are trained in special education, with a total student population of 150.

“The approaches used include visual learning, intensive repetition, and individual guidance sessions, which focus on each student’s strengths. I am grateful to all the teachers for their strong commitment and patience in caring for all the students here,” she said.

Bahasa Melayu teacher, T. Selvam, 55, who has over 30 years of experience in special education, said teaching, particularly students with autism, requires great patience, creativity and continuous commitment, to ensure that every student receives fair and effective educational opportunities.

Acknowledging the various challenges, including managing students’ behaviour, he adapts his teaching methods while ensuring that students’ focus remains optimal throughout the learning sessions.

Mathematics teacher, Mardhati Mohd Said, 44, said each autistic student is unique and requires a different approach, compared with mainstream students.

“Some students are sensitive to sound, while others have difficulty communicating, so we need to be constantly creative and first understand their emotions. I also conduct additional one-on-one classes to help them better understand,” she said.

Meanwhile, housewife Nor Hazanirianty Abdul Razak, 44, said that she and her husband did not expect their autistic son, Muhammad Hazeem Zikry Mohd Hazree, 18, to achieve excellent results of 6A and 1B, given his unpredictable condition, especially during tantrums and meltdowns.

“We are from Besut, Terengganu, and placed our full trust in the teachers here. Besides good facilities, the teachers are highly trained in handling special needs children. Alhamdulillah, not only has he improved academically, but Hazeem is now more independent,” she said.

Muhammad Hazeem Zikry said that he is happy studying at SMKPK Bumbong Lima, and plans to further his studies in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), due to his strong interest in English.

“I would like to thank all the teachers who patiently taught and encouraged us since I first started studying here. Alhamdulillah, their efforts have enabled us to achieve excellent results in the SPM,” he said.

Another parent, Rafiqah Samsudin, 51, said that the teachers’ tireless efforts not only improved her son, Muhammad Aqil Aiman Fuzi’s academic performance - he scored 6A and 1B - but also built up his self-confidence and social skills.

“They are very patient, committed and never give up in educating my child, despite facing various challenges. While staying at the hostel, he has been very happy being with his friends, so I have no worries,” said the single mother.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) representative, Khairul Anuar Ariffin, 55, also praised the teachers’ strong commitment.

“We truly appreciate their sacrifices, as they give their time and even their own money. Some are willing to conduct extra classes until late at night, while also providing food to encourage students to attend,” he said.

-- BERNAMA