KUALA LUMPUR: A group of teachers received widespread praise for their commitment after uniting to contact late Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students by phone to ensure they could sit their History exam, an incident that has sparked an online debate about the perceived lack of seriousness among students regarding their studies.
In a TikTok video shared by @cikguhanomtaib, a group of teachers is seen going over a list to locate the name and phone number of the absent student, who had yet to arrive for their SPM History paper.
The teachers are shown making numerous frantic calls, with one teacher reportedly attempting to reach the student 21 times without success.
The video humorously highlights the urgency felt by educators, ranging from history teachers to counsellors, as they scramble to make contact.
The SPM examinations are regarded as a pivotal moment in a Malaysian student's academic journey. Missing or failing the History paper can jeopardise the entire certification, making attendance crucial.
The video's caption serves as a reminder to all SPM students to arrive on time, emphasising that teachers already face significant pressure in preparing for the exams. Furthermore, if a student fails to show up, teachers may be questioned about the absence.
The video has attracted over 287,000 views and 11,200 likes, igniting discussions among netizens over whether today's students are becoming complacent and less dedicated to their studies.
User @mynameismr24 expressed sympathy for teachers, noting their hard work in teaching only to find themselves having to plead for students to attend exams.
@syafiqjahn94 questioned how the student could take the SPM exams so lightly, while @sue.8489 offered her unpopular opinion that the student should face consequences for their absence, cautioning that such attitudes could persist into university and the workplace.