New Date for SPM and STPM.....23 Nov 2010

Take note, there is a change in SPM and STPM timetable. SPM will start on 23 Nov, not 22 Nov.

Tuesday September 28, 2010
SPM, STPM date confusion

PETALING JAYA: There appears to be confusion as to when schools were informed about the changes to the start of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations.

Both were scheduled to start on Nov 22, but due to the Sultan of Johor’s birthday celebration which falls on that day, they will now start a day later on Nov 23. Malaysian Examinations Syndicate director Datuk Dr Salbiah Ismail said the final SPM timetable was sent to all state education departments in August for the information to be disseminated to district education offices and schools.

“The SPM examination will start on Nov 23 and end on Dec 20,” she said in response to complaints from parents that there was misleading information about the SPM examination timetable.

In March, it was reported that Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar decreed that the public holiday for his birthday celebration be changed from April 8 to Nov 22.

A Selangor education department official said it issued a circular to the district education offices informing them of the changes to the dates of the examinations yesterday.

“Schools under Selangor will be receiving the notices today,” he said.Several school heads in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor claim they had not been informed of the changes.

“Our school has not received any ‘black and white’ about the change of dates,” said a principal. Another said he would need to check with the district education office on the matter.
Malaysian Examinations Council (MEC) public relations officer Khawari Idris said it issued a circular dated June 30 informing all state education departments on the change in the start of the STPM.“The STPM examination was originally scheduled from Nov 22 to Dec 14 but due to the change of the holiday for the Sultan of Johor’s birthday, we rescheduled the STPM examination from Nov 23 to Dec 16,” he said.

Khawari was responding to a letter to the editor published in StarEducation from an Upper Six student who had complained that the information on the MEC website for the STPM timetable was misleading as it had stated the last day for the examination was Dec 14.

The student said she had checked the MEC website before booking their international flights for Dec 15 and subsequently had to pay a penalty for postponing her flight after she was informed that the last paper scheduled for the STPM was Dec 16.The MEC apologised for the delay in updating the STPM timetable on its website, Khawari said.

Revamp in Vocational Education System

Vocational education system to be revamped: DPM
27/09/2010  Monday, New Straits Times

MUAR: The national vocational education system will be revamped to enable students to take up vocational education earlier after the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the move would be in line with the objective of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to ensure 20 per cent of students took up vocational studies, from 10 per cent currently.

"This is being looked into by the ministry because it will mean a longer period for the students to be in the field. Hence, they will become more skillful," he said after opening an education excellence programme in Pagoh today.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the revamp was expected to give a huge leap in the country's vocational education because it contained element of improvement such as in terms of the scope and education syllabus, infrastructure facilities, industrial needs, teaching staff and the involvement of the private sector. He was commenting on a suggestion by readers of the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia blog, which among others, called on the government to expand the potential of Malaysians to become skilled workers.

Muhyiddin said that currently, vocational studies were only taken up by students after their Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and that the number was still small compared with those in other countries. This was despite the country in need of at least 3.3 million workers in 10 years to meet the country's industrial needs according to the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), he said.

Muhyiddin said that the people should be able to get a clearer picture of the direction of the country's vocational education by next year.

"We do not want parents to regard vocational field as a second option. This has to be rectified," he added.
He said that in many developed countries, the number of vocational students was high, adding that in Indonesia, 40 per cent of its students were in vocational fields while in Thailand, the percentage was 60. - Bernama

Namewee......I am Who I am

我還是我

Aku Tetap Aku

I am Who I am

After I listening to his latest song, I found out that there was a deep reflection in his life. We grow up and learn to become a better person by reflecting our mistake in our life. Nobody is perfect include teacher. Let us learn how to  forgive and respect each other.

我有我自己的夢 自己會走

Aku akan berusaha mencapai impian ku sendiri

I have my own dream I will keep going

就算再寂寞
walaupun sunyi

Even it’s a lonely path

請原諒我的衝動 我會好好過

Maafkan impuls aku, aku akan hidup dengan baik-baik

Please forgive me for being impulsive, I will be fine

(相信我還是我)

(percayalah, aku tetap aku)

Believe me I am still who I am



Chemistry Form Four: Chapter 8 - Application of Precipitation of Salt

Precipitation reaction occur all around us. For example, sometimes the pipes in our homes get clogged because precipitates of magnesium and calcium oxides have deposited themselves within the pipes. This can happen with "hard" water.

Another example is a kidney stone. A kidney stone is nothing more than a precipitate - often of calcium ions (from cheese) and oxalates. It is often suggested that a good way to avoid kidney stones is to drink a lot of water. This helps because the solubility of the precipitate increases with the amount of water - thus avoiding the formation of the kidney stone to begin with.

Various size of kidney stone

Nicol David a truly Malaysian success

Nicol wins World Open
September 23, 2010 ,The Malaysian Insider News

CAIRO, Sept 23 — Datuk Nicol David captured her 5th World Open squash title yesterday, in dominant fashion, securing her place in the pantheon of great squash players and edging her closer to be being the greatest female squash player ever. Nicol, 27, was always in control in the final against Egyptian Omneya Abdel Kawy winning in straight games 11-5, 11-8 11-6.

“My focus was strong throughout the tournament, ” she said after the match to squashsite.co.uk.“I really wanted this. I didn’t want to let it slip.”“It’s amazing that I can do something that Sarah [Fitz-Gerald] has done, because she’s such a great player.”Australian Fitz-Gerald’s five titles are now matched by Nicol.
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What a good example Nicol David has shown to us? She has make us proud as Anak Malaysia. As a sportswoman, she has performed extremely well and very consistent in games that she participated. She will go down in history to be the greatest female squash player ever had. A legend is born.

Despite of all winnings and world titles she had at the moment, she was humble of her achievements. She was also good in study. If I am not mistaken, she was the former student of SMK Convent Green Lane, Penang. Despite of  the pressure of international squash, Nicol has never neglected her studies and has indeed achieved excellent results by scoring 7As in her SPM examinations in 2000. She is really a good model for us especially the youths to emulate. I hope that the school authorities could invite her to give motivational talk to inspire the students. Nicol, I am proud of you.

Beyond my description...!

MPV means multi-purpose vehicle which can accommodate 8 passengers such as Toyata Innova. Smaller MPV car such as Perodua Alza and Nissan Grand Livina only can accommodate 6 to 7 passengers. But, there is one vehicle in China that really amazed me. When someone being pushed to the limit of poverty, somehow our brain starts to work and think critically how to solve immediate problems. Something impossible will become possible.

If we are determine to do something, there is always a way out. I couldn't believe if  I don't see it myself that this man can carry so many passengers with his motorbike and how confidently he rode on the road. This new MPV clearly the winner of all MPV cars in terms of number of passenger can be carried.

Count yourself, how many passengers on board? Yes...you are correct. It is 9. Oh my God, a motorbike with 1 rider and 8 pillion passengers.

Chemistry Form Four: Chapter 8 - Preparation of Insoluble Salt

Insoluble salt can be prepared by using double decomposition reaction or precipitation reaction. A precipitate is a solid that forms out of solution. For an insoluble salt such as SILVER CHLORIDE, you need to find a soluble SILVER compound and a soluble CHLORIDE compound.

• A good choice for the soluble silver compound is SILVER NITRATE because almost all nitrates are soluble.

• A good choice for the soluble chloride compound is to use a sodium salt because almost all sodium salts are soluble. 

 The precipitate forms because the solid (AgCl) is insoluble in water.

The remaining sodium nitrate is soluble and so only the silver chloride will be precipitated. Once prepared, collect the salt by filtration and wash the solid. Dry it with a few sheets of filter paper.

Click on the diagram below to play!

 

Application of Atmospheric Pressure in Genting Highland

During the school holiday, I brought my family to Genting Highland to escape the heat from Penang island. Geographically, Genting highland is a mountain peak of Titiwangsa Mountains. It is situated at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Therefore its air pressure is lower than at sea level.

At the hotel room, my son suddenly asked me one scientific question, " Why the potatoes chips pack so big? ". I replied, " It was due to difference of atmospheric pressure".

At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is the highest. Therefore, you will see a smaller pack of chips.

At the peak of Genting Highland, the atmospheric pressure decreases in tandem with higher altitude. At 1800 metres altitude, air pressure inside the chips pack is greater than the outside atmospheric pressure. Difference of pressure produces a resultant force to push chips pack outward. Hence, the chips pack expanded.

After I explained air pressure lesson to him, he puzzled.  I don't think he could understand what I taught him about atmospheric pressure concept. How about you, my dear students ?

Petition To Maintain Teaching of Science and Maths in English‏

Dear All,

For those who wish to retain teaching of science and maths subjects in English, you can go to the following site and sign the Petiton To Maintain Teaching Science and Maths in English.

www.petitiononline.com/magp13/petition.html

Please inform all your friends/family to do the same. Thank you for your support.

Rove Beetle Invasion...! Application of Neutralisation

Monday September 13, 2010, The Star

Turn off lights to keep rove beetles away

HOUSE owners are urged to switch off the lights whenever possible as it is now rove beetle season.

Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) special squad head M. Raju said the orange-black rove beetle’s habitat was being disturbed because of the padi harvesting period.“The rove beetles, which are attracted to lights, are only active at night. So switch off the lights, especially in the bedroom.”

The unwelcome ‘visitors’ had caused havoc in recent years. Victims have suffered severe inflammation on their faces or other body parts after coming into contact with the beetles.The secretion of the rove beetle is poisonous and acidic. Sightings of the beetles have been reported in several places on mainland Penang such as Prai and Bukit Mertajam. Those tiny creatures were the same ones which had caused some people to go blind in Africa.

He said those who happened to have skin contact with the beetle should wash the area with salt water immediately.The fluid, known as pederin, causes severe inflammation or dermatitis on the skin. One should seek medical assistance if the condition is serious with pus and swelling,” he said.

Acid  +  Alkali  --->  Salt  +   Water

 

Some examples of skin dermatitis caused by rove beetle:

Right Brain Vs Left Brain - Optical Illusion

This theory of the structure and functions of the mind suggests that the two different sides of the brain control two different “modes” of thinking. It also suggests that each of us prefers one mode over the other.

Right brainers tend to be:Artistic. Whether it is in the form of acting, writing, painting, poetry, quantum physics, theoretical sciences, or social studies and psychology, you will prefer the more abstract subjects. You will tend to be emotional. Not in the sense of reactive, but that you feel things deeply when compared to a more left brainer. You tend to get angrier, more frustrated, less patient, more explosive, deeply saddened, extremely happy, and sometimes very bored. You tend to remember people's faces but you can't for the life of you remember their names.

Left brain learners tend to be:Auditory learners, better at learning through lectures, but also learn well through reading words in a book. Logical thinking, thinking of things in sequential order, but also they prefer to be taught in a linear way, step by step. Good at mathematics. Math is one of those skills that require a left brained learner. Prefer things to be organized so that things are able to be found when needed. Less emotionally driven. You either prefer to not deal with emotions at all, or don't feel things as strongly as others seem to do.

Spend Time Wisely in Holiday

Hooray! school holiday is on. Some schools have 2 weeks holiday in conjunction with Raya festival. What are you going to do during holiday? For those who are in Form 3 and Form 5, please spend your time in revising all the subjects to prepare for your PMR and SPM. Don't wait for the last minute preparation that usually yield a rotten result.

This second term school holiday is very crucial for you to do more exercises and past year exam questions. If you encounter any problems in your study, don't hesitate to publish your questions in this blog. I am willing to help you.

When the major examination is around the corner, usually parents and teachers are the most nervous person in monitoring their student's study. This is the reaction of love. So, they are really concern and care about you. Study hard and study smart for the sake of yourselves and your parents. They love you!