SPM And STINKY Durians

I was reading the news feed on my blog and these 2 articles caught my eye.

Firstly, this would come as a relief to my brother and it would be easier for him to get a scholarship IF he does well next year. My cousin got 9A's last year and she doesn't get anything and so I think the new ruling would be good. Anyway, the article says:

" NILAI: Beginning next year, students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination would only be allowed to sit for a maximum of 10 subjects.

The grading system for the examination would also be adjusted to better reflect the academic achievements of the students, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin.

He said the Education Ministry decided to do away with the open certificate system which allowed students to sit for as many subjects, as the majority took only 10 or fewer subjects.

“Records show that some 90% of students sitting for the SPM take 10 or fewer subjects. We want to streamline this as this would also be an easier way to determine the awarding of scholarships,” he said.

Some 450,000 students sat for the SPM last year.

Muhyiddin, also the Education Minister, said teachers would also be able to give more focus if students were only allowed to take up to 10 subjects.

“Teachers will be able to focus on core subjects ... also, parents would not have to rush their children for tuition classes if they took too many subjects.

“There are a lot of positives if we cap the subjects at 10. I am sure parents will welcome this ... it will also help teachers to better equip themselves (as they would not be burdened teaching other subjects),” he said.

On the grading system, Muhyiddin said instead of giving students a straight 1A, B or C, they would from next year be graded A+, A or A- and so on.

“The new grading system would be more effective when deciding which student is most qualified to get a scholarship,” he said. "

That would be a good move, don't you think?

Next. This one is not a big news actually but lets just say it keeps my air clean. Lol! I actually meant that I wouldn't have to be polluted with the smell of durian so much. Lets just allow the article to break the good news anyway.

" GEORGE TOWN: The durian season has begun but it looks like a lean affair, again.

Bao Sheng Durian Farm co-owner T.S. Chang said heavy rain on the island at the beginning of the year had affected the durian flowering season.

“We expected about 180 trees in our Sungai Pinang estate to fruit. That is about half the total number of trees, slightly less than the number that fruited last year,” Chang told The Star.

“There was too much rain in January so many of the flowers dropped. Fewer flowers mean fewer fruits,” he explained, adding that the harvest season was from mid-May to the end of July.
Durian estates in other parts of the island also expect a similarly lean harvest.

“From what I’ve heard, estates in Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Kumbar are experiencing average yield,” said estate co-owner Tham Soon Seong.

“In Pondok Upeh, we’re not very much better off than last year, when about 40% of the trees fruited.”

However, lovers of the King of Fruits need not despair as prices in the market seem stable, even though it is only the beginning of the durian season.

“In about two to three weeks, we’ll reach mid-season and more durians will start dropping. Then prices will also come down,” Tham predicted.

Chang said the steady durian price was surprising considering the limited supply.

“By right, with limited supply, durians should be more expensive, but the price is similar to last year’s,” he said.

“Perhaps people are not eating so much this year.” "

That is awesome huh? Ok..not to everyone but to Soo Chen maybe? Haha. But the article only mentions Penang and I am in Melaka. Maybe I not that lucky after all. -Sigh-