When success becomes silent: Why celebrating achievement matters?

The announcement of the SPM 2024 results should have been a day of joy, relief, and celebration for students, parents, and teachers alike. Yet, an unexpected directive from the Ministry of Education, prohibiting schools from holding ceremonies to celebrate high achievers, left many feeling confused, frustrated, and disappointed. This raises a fundamental question: Is it wrong to celebrate success?

Achievement should be encouraged, recognised, and celebrated in any society. Celebrating academic excellence is not about glorifying one group at the expense of others. It is about recognising effort, inspiring others, and upholding a culture where hard work and perseverance are valued. When we celebrate achievement, we are sending a powerful message to young people: “Your efforts matter. Your sacrifices are worth it.” Recognition fuels motivation, not just for the high achievers but also for their peers who aspire to follow in their footsteps. It sets a positive cycle in motion, a cycle where diligence, discipline, and ambition are honoured.

Some argue that celebrating top scorers may demoralise those who did not perform as well. However, shielding students from the reality of differing outcomes may unintentionally breed complacency and entitlement. Life, after all, is filled with competition and comparison. Learning how to handle success and setbacks gracefully is part of education.

Moreover, education is not solely about academic achievement. It must also nurture character, resilience, compassion, and community spirit. But these values are not fostered by suppressing celebrations. They are nurtured when celebrations are balanced, and schools also acknowledge personal growth, leadership, service, effort, and academic excellence.

The directive’s last-minute nature adds salt to the wound. Teachers had already planned ceremonies, students had prepared to receive their well-earned recognition, and parents had made arrangements to witness the proud moment. To deny them without a proper explanation feels not only disrespectful but unfair.

Malaysia has always prided itself on encouraging excellence. From sports to academics, from the arts to innovation, we have celebrated those who shine, while supporting those who need a helping hand. This healthy ecosystem must continue. Instead of blanket bans, perhaps the Ministry could encourage schools to hold inclusive celebrations, recognising a wide range of achievements and milestones, and ensuring that all students feel seen and valued. Excellence, after all, comes in many forms. As a nation, we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot demand world-class talents, innovators, and leaders while simultaneously discouraging the celebration of those who embody these ideals in their earliest forms.

Excellence is not elitism, achievement is not arrogance, and recognition, if done with sensitivity, is not exclusion. It is vital in building a generation that strives, not settles. We owe it to our young Malaysians to celebrate them when they succeed. They deserve it. And so does our future.