PSD Rejecting the Application of a Disabled Student

You might have read about Albert Wong's failure to obtain a scholarship from the Public Service Department (PSD) for him to do law. There are various responses from the public, the common ones are being shocked to hear that Albert Wong, who scored straight 12 A's, failed to secure the scholarship or have expected that he would not be able to make it because of his disability.

Honestly, I was shocked to hear that he could not secure the scholarship because a person of his condition and potential deserves the assistance that he could get. I found this article from TheStar Online particularly interesting: PSD reason for rejecting disabled applicant shocking. I couldn't help smiling, agreeing on the writer's views. You might want to read this article: 12-A Wong can’t get scholarship.

It is a bit disappointing that the PSD emphasised so much on one's disability when offering scholarships. Of course, I understand that certain disabilities would deprive one from selecting certain careers. For example, if one is blind, then he can't be a doctor, of course. Certain professions, especially those related to science will not be suitable at all for those who are handicapped. However, those who would like to pursue Economics, Law and professions related to Arts should be given a chance to try. Being handicapped does not mean that he or she cannot achieve excellence in the field he or she is interested in. Albert Wong said that he wants to do Law. Despite having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, he still has the will to achieve his life goal and even managed to secure straight A's, something that so many other normal, healthy students can't achieve! His willpower is simply inspiring, especially to those who are handicapped like him.

Another reason that PSD didn't offer scholarships to so many students who applied for Economics or Arts-based subjects is that students who want to pursue these courses do not have SPM qualifications for those subjects, such as Basic Economics (Ekonomi Asas), Trading (Perdagangan) or Principles of Accountancy (Prinsip Akaun). This reason is a bit ridiculous. I'm surprised that PSD failed to realise that in this era, business and Arts-related careers are getting more and more scientific, too! More and more technologies are being used now. Besides, these students who were in Science stream and applied for Arts stream subjects can catch up because Pre-U subjects are always taught from the very basic. This means that whatever is taught in Forms 4 and 5 will be repeated in the Pre-U level, of course a little bit more in-depth. However, that should not stop a tip-top student from pursuing his or her dreams.

I'm quite happy, however, that the PSD and the Prime Minister have taken this issue quite seriously. The PSD has agreed to arrange an interview for Albert Wong, as is reported by TheStar Online: Albert gets to tell his story. I do believe that being handicapped physically does not mean that you are mentally handicapped as well. In order to achieve success, the vital ingredients are effort and hard work. If one puts in sufficient effort and hard work in whatever he does, then success is guaranteed.

With this, I leave it to you to comment.