A man has shared a reflective account of his experience as a former student, describing how celebration ceremonies for high-achieving pupils can feel “insincere” when contrasted with how students are treated before exam results are released.
In a widely circulated social media post, he recalled being labelled as a “poor performer” by peers and even some teachers ahead of his Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations. However, on results day, he unexpectedly emerged among the top 10 students in his school.
He said that despite being called up on stage during the school’s awards ceremony, he chose not to accept the recognition, describing the moment as emotionally uncomfortable.
“I was told I had no future and that I would embarrass my parents based on my trial exam results,” he wrote, adding that the sudden shift in attitude from teachers after his strong results felt inconsistent.
He explained that prior to the results, he was often discouraged and looked down upon, but after achieving excellent results, the same teachers praised him publicly. The sudden change in treatment, he said, made the celebration feel “inauthentic”.
“Even when I was called on stage, I didn’t want to go up. It felt fake and emotionally hurtful,” he shared.
Beyond his personal experience, the man also expressed sympathy for students with average or moderate results, saying they are often overlooked during academic recognition events. He urged schools to ensure that all students are acknowledged, not only top performers.
“Celebrate the top scorers, yes, but don’t look down on those with average results. Everyone deserves recognition,” he added.
His post has sparked discussion online, with many users sharing similar experiences of feeling ignored or undervalued by teachers until achieving strong academic results. Some netizens called for a more inclusive approach to student recognition in schools.
