‘Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.”– Spanish artist, Salvador Dali.
My friends, did you know what you wanted to be when you were in Form Five?
I didn’t. Frankly speaking, after completing Form Six, I did not plan to be a journalist. However, I ended up as one because I needed a job. And it was the only job available to me. That was decades ago.
According to Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn this week, students should know their ambitions by the time they reach upper secondary school.
“I think having ambition only in Form Six is already late. You should have it before sitting for your Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
“By then, you should know what you want to be — a doctor, an engineer, an architect, a psychiatrist, a lawyer, whatever it may be. In all these, you must be ready to face the challenges.”
Speaking at the state-level ceremony for the Ministry of Education’s Early Schooling Aid (BAP) distribution to Lower Six students at SMK Tun Abdul Razak in Serian on Friday, Sagah said, “Having ambition will help you establish clear objectives, determine what subjects to take and remain focused on your academic performance for a successful future.”
He advised all Sarawak students, especially those in Form Six, to think seriously about their ambitions now.
The minister also advised the students to complete Form Six with good results so that they could pursue degrees in a variety of fields at state-owned universities for free.
The state-owned higher learning institutions are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.
Thanks to the state government’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which will be implemented next year, Sarawakians can pursue tertiary education without being burdened by high course fees.
Sagah further motivated the students at the event in Serian by saying, “The universities in Sarawak are as good as any in the world. After your first degree, you can go to Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge to continue your studies, especially in the sciences.”
The minister also urged the students to excel in sciences which were crucial to the state’s changing economy.
“As we move towards renewable energy and sustainable development, we must ensure employment opportunities in these new industries,” said Sagah, adding that Sarawak aimed to lead globally in green energy and environmental efforts.
Students should listen to Sagah’s advice. Those who have not thought about their ambitions should think seriously about them now. They should study hard to get good results in Form Six and excel in sciences for a brighter future.
If they have not discovered their ambitions yet, schools can help them to do so by encouraging exploration and facilitating open conversations about interests and fears.
They can also introduce the students to a wide range of subjects, fields and potential careers through books, educational websites, hands-on activities like workshops and public talks.
Parents can also help by holding honest discussions with their children about their interests, goals and any fears or uncertainties they may have.
Because I had no idea what I wanted to be when I was young, I salute kids who know what they want to be at a young age. Take, for instance, my nephew Ah Kiong’s twin sons.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” I asked one of them.
“A policeman,” he replied without hesitation.
“Then, you must eat your food and exercise so that you become big and tall like your father,” I told him. Yes, Ah Kiong is a cop.
One of my friends’ daughter wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her mother told me so.
Although parents can help their children to discover their ambitions, the driving force behind the kids’ ambitions should be their own desires, not their parents’ dreams.
Although parental guidance is valuable, a life driven by another’s dreams rather than one’s own does a disservice to one’s individual development and well-being. All parents should be aware of this.
If you are a student, reflect on what really excites and motivates you. Consider your passions, values and long-term goals. What are the activities that bring you joy and a sense of purpose? Along the way, you may discover your ambitions.
To all students who are in the midst of discovering their ambitions, good luck and may all their dreams come true.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@gmail.com.
