SHAH ALAM - Students who chose to skip their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) made a poor decision as the exam is a vital stepping stone for future milestones.
Recognising the importance of education, content creator and social media influencer Ceddy Ang said those who opted out of the exam should seize the opportunity to retake the exam to appreciate the significance of education.
He said by doing so, they could open doors to further opportunities and truly appreciate the foundational role that education played in shaping their futures.
Commenting on the 10,000 students reported to have missed their SPM exams, he said they might have valid reasons such as suffering from illnesses, hospitalisation or family tragedies and other challenges.
However, he said deliberately choosing to not sit for the important exam was a poor decision.
"While it is true that years from now, employers may not ask for your SPM results or care about them, your SPM is a crucial stepping stone for future milestones.
"Without it, how will you pursue a diploma? Without a diploma, you cannot obtain a degree and many jobs today even require a master's degree as a minimum qualification.
"Without a diploma or degree, progressing to a obtain master's becomes impossible. This decision can severely limit your future opportunities," he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
On whether it was acceptable for students who did not attend their SPM exams to use a lack of interest in studying as an excuse, Ceddy said it was not.
"Some may call it a 'boomer mentality', but as a millennial, I can assure you that it is crucial advice. You might not enjoy certain subjects, but your SPM is essential for moving to the next level.
"Whether you like the subjects or not, it is important to get through them. I am not saying you need to get straight A's, just pass the subjects at least.
"I understand that not everyone excels in or enjoys every subject. For instance, I was in the Science stream and struggled with Chemistry and Physics.
"However, I put in my best effort to ensure I passed my SPM. I graduated and moved on to the next milestone in my life," he added.
Meanwhile, Ceddy also voiced his discontent with social media influencers who encouraged students to skip SPM and those who suggested that education was unnecessary for success, emphasising that such advice applied only to a fortunate few.
He said it was irresponsible to encourage students to forgo their education.
Social media platforms, he said should be utilised for good things and to highlight the importance of education.
"While being an influencer may seem glamorous, it does not guarantee a long-lasting career.
"Popularity fades and when it does, you will need skills to pivot to new opportunities, which come from education.
"For example, I am not just a social media influencer; I am also a host and a business co-founder. I use my marketing knowledge to promote my business and it comes from my education.
"Even if you have not earned a degree, learning from others still counts as education, that is if you are taking the initiatives yourself, learning from others. Most students need to understand that followers alone would not sustain a career," he said.
Ceddy cited content creator Khairul Aming as an example, saying that the prominent Malaysian influencer and business owner advocated for education, as his business skills were grounded in his educational background.
He said fame was not synonymous with wealth or success.
Many influencers have large followings but lacked business acumen, rendering their followers useless when they could not monetise their platforms, he added.
"They often fade into irrelevance and suffer from panic attacks. So, please, do not miss your SPM. Education is crucial.
"Do not underestimate the importance of education even if you aspire to be an influencer. The chances of becoming one of the few who succeed without formal education are slim.
"Secure your future by taking your SPM and pursuing higher education, like a degree, to open more opportunities and ensure long-term success," he said.