KUCHING: Rachel Teo (pic) had a big surprise when she scored 11 straight A+ in the SPM 2022 examination, and emerged as one of Sarawak’s top students.
The SMK St Elizabeth student in Sibu said she did not expect such excellent results as the Additional Mathematics and Biology papers were quite challenging.
“In all my expectations, I thought maybe I would only get 7As. “I was really surprised when I received a call from my teacher about my results. I could not believe it,” she said after receiving her results slip and a certificate from the state Education Department at SMK Green Road here yesterday.
Teo, 18, attributed her success to good time management in her studies.
“It’s important to strike a balance between study and rest. I also have some hobbies to help me relax,” she added.
Teo plans to apply for a higher education scholarship.
“I wish to pursue studies related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects. Engineering is my first consideration,” she said.
Teo was one of 684 candidates in Sarawak who scored straight As, which was an increase from 596 in 2021.
State Education director Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad said Sarawak recorded better results in SPM 2022 compared to the previous year.
He said the state’s National Average Grade (GPN) improved to 5.07.
“This is a difference of 0.1 points from the GPN of 5.17 in 2021,” he said when announcing the results. A lower GPN score indicates better candidate achievement.
Azhar said 32,810 candidates in Sarawak sat for SPM 2022, which was held from Jan 30 to March 15 this year. Candidates affected by Covid-19 took the exam from March 16 to 22.
He said 91.2% of the candidates were eligible to receive the SPM certificate, an improvement from 88.3% in 2021.
In addition, he said 132 special needs students sat for SPM 2022, with 56% eligible to receive the certificate.
Alverth Hudson Awan Kebing from SMK Rosli Dhoby in Sibu scored 6As and 2Cs in the 2022 SPM exams.
The student, who was born with cerebral palsy, scored As in Bahasa Melayu, English, Science, Geography and A+ in Moral Education.
The youngest of three siblings in the family, Hudson, 18, was over the moon when he received his results slip yesterday.
“I was not expecting to get this result as my initial aim was 4As, but I have exceeded my own projections,” he said.
“My teachers have been incredibly helpful. They emphasised memorisation techniques, especially for subjects like History.
“They conducted extra classes for us from Monday to Saturday, and I never miss any of them.”
Hudson, who aspires to become a Customs Department officer, also said his classmates were always caring and displayed genuine concern for his well-being.
His mother Angela Mendong was proud of her son’s success.
“To be able to keep up with his classmates, considering his special circumstances, is commendable.
“As long as he can lead a fulfilling life and take care of himself to the best of his abilities, I am grateful,” said Mendong, who is the chief nurse at the Oya health clinic.
She said she did not pressure him to succeed, but encouraged him to do his best.
“His teachers have always been committed to ensuring he can carry out his studies,” she added.
