Can a homeschooler sit for BM exam?
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Examinations; Malaysian schools on 18 Mar 2010.
Here’s an interesting bit of news for those who missed it in the Sun.
16-year old homeschooler Adrian Kumar Vendargon wants to sit for the SPM Bahasa paper as a private candidate. Unfortunately, there are obstacles in his way. Chief of which is the fact that Adrian has not gone through the system or sat for the PMR. The other is that he does not yet qualify as he is just 16 years old and the SPM is only for those who are 17 and older. Adrian, who turns 17 in December this year, is fond of the Malay language and has been home tutored on it since he was 14. Why is Adrian aiming for an exam in the Malay language?
“My fondness for the Malay language started when I was in primary school. I realised it is a good communication language in small towns and plus it is the national language,” he said.
“I got good grades in my BM in school and I am ready to sit for the SPM BM paper this year. It is preposterous that the examination board is not allowing me to.”
Adrian began homeschool back in 2007 “because he wanted to progress academically without being bound by a particular system.” But we do not know if he was educated at home or in a learning centre – one of those commonly touted as ‘homeschooling’ centres, providing ‘homeschool.’ Nevertheless, you can read the report which came out in theSun on Wednesday March 17.
Meanwhile, Adrian has decided not to leave any stone unturned in his bid to sit for the exam. He left a comment on PM Dato Sri Mohd Najib’s 1Malaysia blog and here’s what the homeschooler wrote:
Dear Dato Seri, I am a Malaysian, homeschooling doing the iGCSE at the British Council. I was born in December 1993. I will complete my iGCSE’s in June 2010. I am not allowed to sit for the BM paper as a private candidate this year, because I am not 17 as at 1-1-10, and I don’t possess an SPM/PMR certificate. However, I have already sat for and obtained grades in 6 iGCSE subjects as at June 2009. There is no age limitation for sitting iGCSE’s, ‘O’ levels or ‘A’-Levels. I would like to appeal to Dato Seri to intervene so that I can register as a private candidate for the November intake, as I wish to proceed to my ‘A’-Levels next year in college. I intend to work in Malaysia,therefore I need a credit in BM. With all due respect, I think we need to scrap this age limitation for the SPM, as it only holds students back. Such a move is essential in improving our education system to the level of that in developed countries.
Way to go Adrian!
This is certainly a story to follow. It would be interesting to see if Adrian’s woe is due to his age or to his being homeschooled. Either way, we’ll want to see if if this cracks open the door that keeps Malaysian homeschoolers out of the system. Watch this space.
9 Comments so far...
Pei Yin Says:
20 March 2010 at 11:19 pm.
Thanks for sharing!
I just heard over the radio a couple of days ago that the MOE will be relooking into the requirements for SPM candidates to consider those who have been homeschooled. I think the doors are certainly starting to open for us 
K V Soon Says:
23 March 2010 at 1:16 am.
Thanks for posting this, there had been much discussion over this matter – it is also interesting to actually understand how the SPM works. The system is such that there seems to be a lot of opportunities for homeschoolers.
More interesting is how Adrian responded – well done!
Sloane Says:
31 March 2010 at 3:52 am.
Malaysian government cannot prevent young, bright, Malaysians from contributing to the country because of some institutionalized discrimination. Yes, they have to review it. Back in those days you’re no good as a factory worker unless you’ve outgrown your rebellious adolescence / impulsiveness and big/tough enough to withstand broiler conditions. So schools were a holding ground to shape one into compliance thus the exit ticket was given only to those fit to work, those who stayed long enough they’re most probably broken in – those 17 and above. It’s not a coincidence. It doesn’t take 11 years to educate a child – but it takes that long to break a child’s spirit. That’s why the age condition.
Anne Vendargon Says:
31 March 2010 at 7:39 pm.
It’s about time the Education Department and/or Ministry get their act together! Malaysia can’t keep moving backwards. This has to end.
Adrian Kumar Vendargon Says:
1 April 2010 at 1:33 pm.
I would like to clarify that I study from home, with a personal tutor guiding me 3-4 times a week, 2 hours a day.
With regards to my situation, the matter has been passed to the Education Ministry.
There has been little progress thus far, partly due to the Education Minister’s busy schedule.The Examination Syndicate has posted a standard reply online, rejecting my application ( for the same old reasons).
It would be extremely difficult for me to sit for the BM exam next year, for 2 main reasons:-
1. I will be pursuing my ‘A’-Levels in college next year, and won’t have the time to revise for the BM papers/ attend BM tuition.
2. The BM literature content (novels) which I have been studying for 2 years is changing next year, which means I would have to study 2 new novels before sitting the exam.
Therefore, it is my sincere hope that the Education Minister (Tan Sri Muhiyidin Yassin) will use his discretion, and allow me to sit for the BM exam this November, as I am more than ready to do so.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
1 April 2010 at 3:43 pm.
Hey Adrian,
Nice to have you visit and clarify the news report. It would be wonderful if you could write and tell us more about your own journey as a homeschooler, your O level exams (?) and the current challenges you’re facing. I’m sure it will be an encouragement to others who have come out of the system to do their own thing. Hope everything will work out soon.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
1 April 2010 at 3:44 pm.
Anne, It seems to me if there’s one thing Malaysia is determined to do, it is to keep moving backwards…..
Adrian Kumar Vendargon Says:
29 May 2010 at 7:47 pm.
I would like to post an update on the above situation.
Although it has been more than 2 months since the article in The Sun was published, no concrete steps have been taken by the Education Ministry to resolve this issue. Despite the Education Minister’s reassurance that he would look into my problem, I have received little correspondence from the Ministry.
Some attempt was made by the minister’s press secretary to find a solution,but as the days passed by, all I received were empty promises. I am extremely disappointed at the lackadaisical attitude of the Ministry, as it is restricting my educational progress.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
31 May 2010 at 10:32 am.
Hi Adrian,
I’m sorry to hear that. I have long come to the unfortunate conclusion that if we’re going to deal with any government agency, we’ll have to develop thicker skin, and keep pushing. Those of us who think it’s all a waste of time, simply move on and find other options. If you are still knocking at the MOE’s door, you might want to also explore other options. Your education does not have to hinge on someone else’s pleasure.
Cheers!
David
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