Expand access to MUN for public school students, education ministry told

Arishah Rusydan, 17, won the 'Best Delegate' award at the 16th Asia Youth International Model United Nations in Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA : The education ministry is being urged to expand access to Model United Nations (MUN) activities for public school students, given their value in fostering critical thinking, leadership and global awareness.
Malaysian Youth Association for Diplomacy and Policy (MyADP) president Benjamin Fong said MUN serves as a powerful educational platform for developing higher-order thinking, aligning with the national curriculum's focus on Higher Order Thinking Skills (KBAT).
Benjamin Fong.
He said it also sharpens English proficiency and equips students with soft skills such as public speaking, teamwork and diplomacy.
'MUN goes far beyond debate. It teaches problem-solving, policy writing, idea generation and negotiation—all essential in preparing our students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,' he told FMT.
Fong said many MUN events struggle to gain recognition from the ministry, particularly in securing approval for Psychometric Assessment and Assessment of Physical Activity Co-curriculum (PAJSK) marks.
This, he said, limits participation among government secondary school students despite growing interest in the activity.
Under current guidelines, secondary school students only receive PAJSK marks—used in admissions to public universities and for scholarship applications—if the event is approved by the ministry.
'Because of this, students often have to prioritise officially recognised activities, missing out on the unique developmental benefits that MUN offers,' he said.
Fong said student organisers also face bureaucratic hurdles in applying for ministry approval, especially when small participation fees are involved—a practice often restricted under current regulations.
'Out of the 31 schools we've identified as active in MUN, only two are government secondary schools,' he said.
To address the issue, MyADP has published a step-by-step guide to help school and university-based organisers apply for official recognition.
He said the ministry should simplify the process and consider allowing reasonable fees, provided events maintain educational value and inclusivity.
'We should be encouraging more students like Arishah Rusydan to join MUN. It's a vital step toward nurturing holistic thinkers, confident communicators and future leaders,' he said.
Earlier this month, FMT reported that Arishah, 17, had been denied PAJSK marks despite winning the 'Best Delegate' award at the 16th Asia Youth International Model United Nations in Kuala Lumpur.
Arishah said such policies could discourage students from participating in global events that help build real-world skills and confidence.
The event, which featured 1,000 participants from 38 countries, was not endorsed by the ministry and therefore did not qualify for PAJSK consideration.
Under PAJSK, only ministry-approved activities are eligible for co-curricular marks, which make up 10% of the merit score for university placements and scholarships. External certificates, even from international or high-level events, are not accepted.

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