Like Father Like Son: Dad Sitting For SPM At 57, Next To Teenager During Exam

SEREMBAN, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- To walk the talk for his youngest son, who is currently sitting for the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), a 57-year-old father took the extraordinary step of also registering as a private candidate for the examination months ago to share the same academic journey with his bright spark.

Lim Siong Fui said he registered as a private candidate for two subjects, namely Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, last April, solely to inspire his son Lim Yi Hen, 17, who is a Science stream student.

The teacher at SMK Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Secondary School) said that in preparation for the examination, they often revise together and exchange views, when looking for solutions to Mathematics and Additional Mathematics questions.

"After almost 40 years, I took up the challenge of re-sitting the SPM examination for the two subjects. Apart from giving my son inspiration, we were also able to compete in a healthy way.

"By sitting for this important examination together, I was not only able to accompany him in his studies, but also help him find solutions to the questions. Our goal is the same, to achieve excellent results," he told Bernama here today.

The father of three will sit for the examination at SMK Gemas next Monday for the Mathematics subject, while the Additional Mathematics exam will be on Dec 15.

Lim first sat for the SPM in 1986, obtaining grade A1 in Mathematics and Additional Mathematics (A2), and this time he is aiming for excellent results in both subjects with his beloved son.

He said his son has a knack for mastering these subjects and shows strong determination to achieve excellent results.

"My son told me his ambition is in computer science. Our family does not limit his interest in any field and in fact my wife and I always gave him full support. I also often advised him to be an excellent student, (hence) discipline is the most important thing, I emphasised to him,” he said.

Lim is one of the private candidates in Negeri Sembilan, along with another 60-year-old candidate, a private pensioner who registered for six subjects in this SPM.

Earlier, Negeri Sembilan state Education Director Khalidah Omar said that a total of 1,164 private SPM candidates in the state recorded an increase of 30.9 per cent compared to the previous year.

She said that in total, a total of 17,354 SPM candidates in the state sat for the examination at 145 examination centres in schools, including 14 centres in hospitals.

Meanwhile, Khalidah said her office identified 15 SPM examination centres and 246 candidates who were at risk of being affected by floods in the Northeast Monsoon season, which is expected to last until next March.

She said the JPNS and all District Education Offices (PPD) held an examination briefing and appointed safety committees at state and district levels, involving the cooperation of federal and state agencies.

"The JPNS also appointed key persons at the department and PPD levels throughout the examination to assist candidates with problems or parents who need information," she said, adding that the JPNS Assessment and Examination Sector (SSP) acts as an operations room in the event of a disaster occurring and can be contacted at 06-7643347.

-- BERNAMA