But 54-year-old Subash Abdullah has returned to the exam hall at least seven times since 2018, tackling both science and arts subjects.
It’s not because he keeps failing. On the contrary: Subash earned straight As for his “proper” SPM exam in 1987 when he was 17, and has consistently repeated the feat in every sitting since 2018.
In last year’s exam, he even achieved 12 straight As.
The tuition teacher and founder of Pusat Tuisyen Ledakan Kreatif is on a mission to motivate students. “I tell them, don’t be afraid of taking the science stream. Even for those in the arts stream, I advise them to take subjects that are quite challenging, like Economics.
“No matter your background, you can still score,” said Subash, who embraced Islam in 2009 and has even sat for the Tasawwur Islam paper.
His strategy is working: students once hesitant to choose the science stream have been inspired to give it a try after seeing their teacher succeed in the subjects they feared.
He also wants to support those who take SPM as private candidates. “I’ll register and sit for the exam with them. Some of them might struggle and feel reluctant to finish, and walk out.
“But when I’m there, the support is there. During the break between paper 1 and paper 2, that’s when I really push them.”
Of course, seeing an adult in the exam hall can seem odd to younger candidates. Subash recalls having heard students saying: “Look at this old fella taking SPM again. I think he must have failed it before.” Some teachers have even mistaken him for an invigilator!
Like any student, he burns the midnight oil studying and gets jittery when results are due. Yet, he plans to sit for SPM again, motivated by the joy of seeing his students improve.
Among them are Gabriella Ann Benedict Joseph, 17, and Daarshini Saravanan, 18, who both sat for SPM last year. The pair shared that they improved under Subash’s guidance.
“He’s not very strict, except when he needs to be. He’s very funny. He talks to you like a friend and doesn’t have that barrier between student and teacher,” said Gabriella.
“It was very exciting because I’d never seen a teacher taking the SPM with us. This was something different, and it encouraged us to sit for our exams without being scared,” Daarshini added.
Subash is fluent in Tamil and Malayalam, as well as Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien, having been educated in a Chinese primary school.
He revealed that he actually dreamt of becoming a doctor when he was younger. But financial constraints made that impossible, as he was raised by a single mother.
When he was in Form 1, he began teaching his neighbours’ children to earn some extra money. His mother saw his potential and encouraged him to pursue education.
Several years after completing his STPM exam, he began giving lessons at tuition centres to fund his mother’s cancer treatment and to support himself. As his students improved, he realised his mother was right.
In 2015, he opened his own centre. Today, there are three branches: in Cheras, Kajang, and on Peel Road in Kuala Lumpur.
And here’s a fun fact: in addition to his talent for teaching, Subash has directed, acted in and written movies, and also sings and writes songs.
In 2023, a student challenged him to join a competition for seniors called “Talent Quest”. If Subash won, the student would have to give up vaping.
Subash came in first place – and the student did, indeed, quit!
While he may not have become a doctor, he is certainly making a difference – perhaps even helping to raise future doctors.
On Teacher’s Day today, Subash shares this message with fellow educators: “Treat your students as your own children. Love and take care of them because the country’s future is in their hands.
“Whether they’re weak or good in their studies, they should have a basic education. Giving them moral support: a push or extra classes can really help.
“My advice to teachers is, please don’t give up. Some teachers tend to walk out of class after seeing how naughty the students are. But that shouldn’t happen because these students may one day be our leaders.
“So, love them and take care of them more.”
To learn more about Pusat Tuisyen Ledakan Kreatif, contact 012-953 1970.