SIBU: In the list of the 17 best schools with excellent results in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), two schools from the Betong District have shone.
SMK Saribas secured the seventh position, while SMK Pusa ranked 16th. Behind the publicised success lies the inspiring story of Nurul Mardhah Peni, a student from SMK Saribas, who achieved a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.00.
Nurul’s journey to success has been filled with tears and challenges. As the eldest of four siblings, she often faced difficulties attending school, including extra classes during holidays. Living far from Debak town, she had transportation struggles and relied on her younger brother or sought rides from passersby.
There were no waiting rooms at the school, leaving her seeking shelter under trees or in nearby stores during rain showers.
Despite these obstacles, Nurul remained resilient. Her dedication to learning and strong faith in Allah’s blessings propelled her forward. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a relationship with Him and never ceasing to pray.
“However, it must be accompanied by effort. Learn to repeat the lessons according to the correct technique. The rest we trust because He knows what is best,” she said.
Alongside prayer, she embraced effective study techniques, such as memorisation and scanning. Nurul acknowledged that what worked for her might differ for others.
Nurul’s effective tips included focusing and being consistent with the teacher’s lessons, utilising homework as a form of revision, and aspiring to become a teacher herself. With outstanding results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, including 1A+, 1A, 5A-, and 3B+, she remains determined to pursue her passion for education.
Nurul, along with her fellow high-achiever Mohamad Qhairul Nizam, attended the result announcement event in Sibu on Thursday (July 13), where they were recognised for their exceptional performance.
SMK Saribas principal Mohamad Lela Alamshah, Form Six senior assistant Loleh Ibrahim and Sarawak Education director Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad were also present to the accomplishments.
