We have a penchant for the tallest, the longest, the highest to describe our achievements. This has now spread into the arena of education. It is the number of subjects that you take that determines whether you are the best student in the country. I would like to clarify how false this premise remains.

Firstly, most if not all schools in Malaysia do not have the facilities to provide for students to appear for more than 10 subjects. With the timetable, teachers and other infrastructure needs, the combinations is such that at most, 10 subjects are what is provided for by most schools. Very often, as I well know, the 13-subject or 15-subject student is not the top student in the school. He or she is amongst the top but the outstanding student in the school is the one who has only taken 10 subjects and has even got the school award for being the top student in many individual subjects.

Most students, if not all, who take more than 12 subjects do so with private help. This means they either take tuition or have help after school hours. Most boarding schools only offer 10 subjects and are not in a position to provide for more subjects. Thus the playing field is not level when recognition is given based on the number of subjects taken.

Taking more subjects at the SPM level is an option and not a requirement. Those who exercise this option should be considered on another basis. This should not be the primary criteria as it would exclude the vast majority of the nearly 90% who take only 10 subjects. Recognise them but do not make this the basis for judging top students as it is exclusive in nature in the context of the open certificate.

It is a fallacy to make this the basis for acknowledging brilliance. Another factor is that such students often acknowledge their lack of focus. They take Science, Arts and Commerce subjects whereas the 10 subject student is focused on either one of these areas.

Poor students who cannot afford tuition to take these additional subjects are thus left out and as such I suggest the Education Ministry move away for such an emphasis. Recognise the the 15-subject students but focus on those who have secured 10A1s and have also done well in sports and extracurricular activities. Surely a point system can be put in place so that such talented students can be acknowledged within a few days after the results are announced.

It is also ridiculous when an A2 in one subject results in a lack of recognition of the total effort of a student. All this highlights the lack of thinking within the ministry in establishing transparent criteria in determining what is best.

Let us be fair to the vast majority, and let the schools be fair to all students. Let the Education Ministry be responsible in establishing a criteria for what schools can offer students within the school system. Only such an emphasis will make it allow all SPM students a fair, transparent and level-playing field level.