KUALA LUMPUR: Form Six education should be more flexible when it comes to schooling hours, attire and attendance at assembly, say current and former students.
They agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who said yesterday that Form Six education should be given some space and not be "too" bound by rules.
Firzana Mohd Firdaus, 21, said some schools make it compulsory for students to wear only baju kurung or formal attire.
"Form 6 students are on par with other pre-university students such as diploma, foundation and matriculation. In these institutions, the dress code is not a big problem. This can be clearly seen for diploma students.
"In the future, I hope that Form Six students can also enjoy the same rules," she said.
"At the beginning, yes, I felt a little restricted in terms of the dress code at my school. Students should be allowed to chose their own attire as long as they are dressed formally and decently.
"Etiquette is important and the baju kurung is not the only way to express it," the Teaching English as A Second Language student said.
Firzana said she was once chastised by a senior teacher because her baju kurung was "too sexy".
"The rest (other rules) is normal. Because I understand that Form Six is still part of the school. So, of course, there will be the same rules that are applied to other students.
Anwar had said the Form Six environment needed to change as its goal is similar to matriculation.
He said he would speak to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek on the matter.
Ariena Ali Azman, 21, agreed with Firzana.
She said there should also be flexibility in schooling hours and attendance at the daily assembly.
"There are some rules that are unnecessary. I believe school rules are important, but for Form Six there should be a significant difference.
"It would be good if we have a separate break time from the other students and I think Form Six students can skip the school assembly," she said, adding that they should also be allowed to start school later.
She said it would also be better if sixth-formers are allowed to hold activities without other students.
Zaahira Zulkifli, 24, said the rules at her Form Six centre are sufficient.
She is allowed to wear formal clothing apart from baju kurung and can bring to classes devices, such as smartphones and laptops.
She agreed that Form Six students should be allowed to start classes later and forgo the assembly.
"The timing should be flexible. Maybe we can start classes around 7.30am to 8am? If we are late, it's embarrassing to be scolded in front of other students," she said.
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