KUCHING: Student Eason Chua Ee Sheng who has Asperger’s syndrome took time out on Monday to share his inspiring educational journey which culminated in outstanding success in the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysian (SPM).
Despite the challenges posed by his condition, he scored 9A+ and 2A in the public examination.
Eason who highlighted the unwavering support from his parents and dedicated teachers at SMK Kuching High for his success equally credits his Bahasa Melayu (BM) teacher, who played a pivotal role in his learning journey.
“She helped me a lot through my learning journey for Malay,” he said.
“Although I thought of giving up many times because Malay is so hard, I actually succeeded and got an A+ in BM. I felt very grateful for that,”he said.
In addition to his A+ in Bahasa Melayu, Eason achieved two A’s in Chinese and Moral Studies.
His academic prowess is exemplified by his nine A+ grades in the following subjects: Malay, English, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Additional Mathematics, and Computer Science.
“My parents always told me not to give up, even though I wanted to many times. Their support has been invaluable.”he said.
Eason’s condition primarily affects his verbal communication, particularly in crowded settings.
However, he finds that it helps him focus during his studies.
“When I’m studying, I almost cannot see anyone, so I can only focus on one person at a time,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Eason has set his sights on pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom, specifically in Manchester and is currently seeking a scholarship from Sarawak Energy Berhad to study electrical engineering.
“Manchester is special to me because I was born there. We moved back to Kuching six months after I was born and I’m a native Sarawakian,” he said.
Both of Eason’s parents are deeply involved in the education sector.
His father is a lecturer at Swinburne University, while his mother teaches at Green Rock giving rise to an educational environment which has undoubtedly influenced and supported Eason’s academic ambitions.
Eason’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, support and dedication.
