"If I Can Do It, So Can You" — Father Sits For SPM With Daughter, Both Score Straight A's
The 58-year-old father said he wanted to prove that age is no barrier to learning.
Cover image via New Straits TimesWhen 18-year-old B Dannya began preparing for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams, she didn't expect to have her 58-year-old father, R Baskaran, as a study buddy
Determined to show that learning has no expiry date, the medical supervisor at Penang General Hospital sat for SPM alongside his youngest daughter.
The result? A proud moment for the family: Baskaran earned 7A's, while Dannya scored a stellar 11A's.
According to the New Straits Times, the father hopes that their success will set an example of lifelong education for the younger generation.
Image via New Straits Times
Baskaran shared that he has always been passionate about education, and already holds a Bachelor's, a Master's, and a Doctorate
"I earned my Bachelor's degree in Management from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), followed by a Master's in Occupational Safety and Health from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and then a Doctorate in Business Administration from a private college," he said.
However, after completing his journey in higher education, he thought it would be interesting to go back to the foundational level and walk alongside his daughter in her academic journey.
"SPM seemed like a tough syllabus, so I wanted to challenge myself — and despite my age, I believe that if there is a will, everything becomes possible," he said.
Baskaran also saw this as a chance to improve on his own SPM results from 1984, when he only managed a Grade Two.
He added that as he saw his two older children facing challenges when taking their SPM, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to support Dannya
The pair studied side by side at home, often watching YouTube tutorials for exam strategies and helping each other with difficult topics.
"When my daughter didn't understand something, I'd help her — and when I struggled, she helped me. If we were both stuck, she would ask her teacher for help," the father said.
They both sat for the exam at Bukit Mertajam High School
Reflecting on the journey, Baskaran said it was incredibly meaningful to share this milestone with his daughter. He hopes it becomes a source of motivation for others.
"I place great importance on education and have always motivated my children to work hard for their future. If I can do it, they certainly can too — and I hope this journey becomes an inspiration to today's youth," he added.
