THE government’s decision to guarantee the entry of top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) scorers into the matriculation programme regardless of race and region is a necessary step towards empowering the nation’s education sector and recognising the outstanding achievements of Malaysian children.

Going by the current quota system, there would be about 40,000 places at matriculation centres nationwide.

Nevertheless, with the new admission policy of students with 10As and above, will there be place for students coming from socially and economically disadvantaged Indian community to the pre-university matriculation programme?

Since the 90% Bumiputera quota remains intact, the 10As benchmark for non-Bumiputera students is unfair.

This will be made worse if the proposal by UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh that “if addition to the quota is 1,000 students, then the same number must also be added to the existing Bumiputera quota” is heeded by the authorities.

What about pupils who sat for a minimum of nine subjects? On the same note, special quota should be allocated for Indian pupils from the B40 category.

During the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government, students who obtained 6As to 8As were offered seats at matriculation colleges.

To ensure fairness and equality in our national education system, the Education Ministry must first disclose the number of Indian pupils who scored 10As in SPM. Will it do so?

Ironically, outstanding students regardless of race, are the nation’s future assets. Therefore, they need to be provided with pathways and platforms guaranteed by the government so that their talent and excellence are not wasted.

Racial quotas for admission to public universities were abolished in 2002.

However, matriculation colleges still maintain a 90% quota for Bumiputera while certain foundation courses are exclusively tailored for Bumiputera students. - July 6, 2024

V. Sharatta
Puchong

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/will-the-education-ministry-disclose-number-of-indian-pupils-with-10as-in-spm/