KUCHING: The admission of Sarawakian students to the state-owned Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) is based on merit, says Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.

The state Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said all students who meet the admission criteria can enrol in the school.

“They must get at least Band 5 in the Year Six school-based assessment to be eligible to sit for the entrance assessment conducted by Yayasan Sarawak.

“If they pass the assessment, they can gain admission into the Yayasan Sarawak international school.

“So there is no question of racial quota; it’s based solely on meritocracy,” he said during question time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly yesterday.

Dr Annuar also said YSISS students will sit for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in Year 11.

“If they do well in the exam, we will select two students and send them to prestigious universities overseas because the IGCSE is accepted globally.

“This is the advantage of YSISS,” he said.

However, he said students would also have the opportunity to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) as an alternative if they choose not to go for further studies overseas.

The YSISS was set up by the state government to provide globally-recognised education to Sarawakians, especially those from the B40 group.

Dr Annuar said there are currently 403 students in two Yayasan Sarawak schools at Petra Jaya here and 12th Mile Kuching-Serian Road, with more to be set up in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

He said 55.4% of the students are from B40 families, 32.3% from M40 and 12.3% from T20.

Earlier this month, Dr Annuar had said student enrolment into five state-owned universities would be based on meritocracy instead of a quota-based system.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/14/merit-based-entry-to-sarawak-owned-international-school