Latest news with #matriculation
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid urges Higher Education Ministry to review rejected applications from top SPM students
BAGAN DATUK, June 17 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Ministry of Higher Education to review applications from outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students who were unsuccessful in securing a place at institutions of higher learning. He said that compassion and fairness must be shown to these students regardless of race, as they not only excelled in their examinations but are also the hope of their parents. 'For any student who did not gain admission into matriculation colleges, foundation programmes, or first-year degree courses, I hope they will be assisted in securing a place. Although I understand places are limited, they should be treated fairly, and efforts must be made to ensure they are given a place,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, told reporters this after launching the 'Kembara Kesedaran Pendidikan Anak Desa (KeDESA) Didik MADANI 2025' programme at Politeknik Bagan Datuk today. Yesterday, it was announced that 150,557 SPM 2024 holders had received offers to continue their studies at public institutions of higher education, with 86,589 placed in public universities, 42,058 in polytechnics, 20,427 in community colleges and 1,483 in institutions under MARA's Higher Education Division. Ahmad Zahid also said he had requested the TVET Council Secretariat and the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) to consider admitting outstanding students with Malaysian Skills Certificates (SKM) Level 3 to 5 into MTUN institutions. 'For MTUN, in my view, each institution provides around 2,500 places. With six universities, that gives us 15,000 places. I hope SKM graduates who did not gain admission into public universities can submit an appeal to enter MTUN,' he said. Meanwhile, KeDESA Didik Madanu 2025 Main Committee chairman and adviser to the Bumiputera Education Movement of Malaysia, Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, said the programme aims to raise awareness and provide access to higher education for students from rural and remote areas. In her speech, she said the GPBM-organised programme applies the 4M concept – identifying qualified and needy students, understanding their socio-economic background and potential, raising awareness of the importance of education, and guiding students to the right channels to further their studies. She said that in 2024, a total of 10 programmes were held across three states – Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu – with a total attendance of nearly 10,000 participants. At the same event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk, presented awards and aid to outstanding SPM 2024 students from the Bagan Datuk constituency. — Bernama
The Star
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Debate over SPM grades focuses on children's future, not about ‘playing politics', says Dr Wee
PETALING JAYA: The fight to allow students with A- grades into the matriculation programme is not about 'playing politics' but about securing the future of children and ensuring fairness, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. "This is not about race because we are fighting for all who are affected by the 'unfair policy' as education policies should not be changed at will, as our children's future is too important. "Some DAP ministers have accused me of playing politics over this issue. "Let me be clear, this is not about politics. It's about fairness for students and their families. It's about meritocracy and our children's future," said the MCA president on Facebook on Thursday (June 5). Dr Wee said DAP had lauded the Prime Minister last year when he announced that SPM candidates who scored 10As would receive automatic entry into matriculation, calling it a bold move. "But this year, without any public announcement, a circular dated April 30 stated that only A+ and A were considered as 'Grade A'. "Why was this done silently, after students had already taken their exams and received their results. "Where is the transparency and good governance DAP promised?" he asked. The Ayer Hitam MP said students had worked hard based on last year's criteria and now the goalposts had shifted, which he described as unfair. "If a policy is changed, it should be announced clearly, before students take the exam, not after," he added. Dr Wee said MCA had received hundreds of appeals from students and parents who were confused and heartbroken. "Last year A- was excellent, this year suddenly it's not. "We need solutions, not finger-pointing as the people deserve an answer," he added.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Dr Wee: Don't ignore students with A- denied entry to matriculation
Seeking fairness: Dr Wee (left) and MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon holding up the SPM results of straight A students who were denied entry into matriculation, during a press conference in Yong Peng, Johor. YONG PENG: Heartbroken A- students who were denied entry into the matriculation programme deserve to have their plight addressed urgently, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The MCA president said as of Saturday, the party had received complaints from 394 students who failed to secure places in the programme, most of whom had achieved straight As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. 'Out of the cases we received, 214 students scored straight As in SPM but were still denied entry into matriculation. 'This includes 211 students who had only one or two A- grades. They would typically qualify, but the Education Ministry has now changed the criteria, and A- is no longer recognised as 'cemerlang' (excellent). 'There were also three cases involving students who met the new requirement by scoring A+ and A, yet were still not offered places,' he said after opening the Ayer Hitam MCA division's annual general meeting here yesterday. Dr Wee noted that the reported cases represent only those who have reached out to MCA and the actual number of affected students was likely much higher. 'These students should not be left hanging,' he stressed. He added that the situation was made worse by the fact that the change in requirements was only made after the SPM results had been released. 'Many had already celebrated their excellent performance, only to be disappointed later. It's truly heartbreaking,' he said, adding that he had received calls from affected students thanking him for raising the issue. Dr Wee also said among those who contacted the party were students who scored 9A+. 'Last year, we raised concerns when the Prime Minister said only those with 10As would be offered a spot. 'But what about students who only took nine subjects? How are they supposed to get 10As?' he asked, noting that the government has yet to provide a response. On Friday, Dr Wee posted a video on Facebook criticising the Education Ministry's official circular issued on April 30, which no longer recognises A- as equivalent to an A. Under the new policy, confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, only students with 10 straight A+ and A grades would be automatically offered matriculation places for the 2025/2026 session. Dr Wee said the change marks a major shift from last year's policy, which guaranteed spots to students with 10As and above, regardless of background, following a commitment made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Senator urges ministry to recognise A- and 9As for matriculation entry
Under the current policy, only students who score at least 10A+'s or As are eligible for automatic admission to the matriculation programme. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A senator has called on the education ministry to revise its matriculation admission policy to include the A- grade in its definition of 'excellent' and automatically consider students who achieve at least 9As, regardless of how many subjects they take. Commenting on a recent report, C Sivaraj said the current policy risked sidelining high-achieving non-Bumiputera Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students. 'The automatic rejection of A- seems to negate the value of the hard work of high-achieving students,' he said in a statement. Sivaraj also urged the government not to 'punish' students with rigid criteria that overlook structural inequalities in the education system. Under the current policy, only students who score a minimum of 10A+'s or A's are eligible for automatic admission to the matriculation programme. This excludes those who achieve 10As with even one A-, or those with 9As, from being considered 'excellent'. Sivaraj criticised the criteria, saying many high-performing students, particularly from non-Bumiputera backgrounds and regular day schools, often take only nine subjects due to resource and structural limitations. 'It is not because the students are weak, but because of the school structure, the learning environment and a focus on quality over quantity. 'If we truly want to recognise student excellence, we must offer fair and comprehensive consideration, not just meet a statistical target,' he said. Sivaraj also warned that the current policy risked undermining the government's stated goal of developing a high-quality generation of students. Last week, a Universiti Malaya student group criticised what it called a 'policy flip-flop' on matriculation admissions. University of Malaya Association of New Youth president Lim Jing Jet questioned the circular issued by the education ministry on April 30, stating that A- would no longer be recognised as a Grade A. It said Grade A would refer only to As and A+s, including four subjects graded with merit. On June 30 last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that all students who score 10As and above in the SPM examination, regardless of race or background, would be guaranteed a place in matriculation colleges beginning with the 2025 intake.
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
UM students' group criticises govt for matriculation admission ‘flip-flop'
Umany president Lim Jing Jet reminded the education ministry of its previous '10As policy' in which all non-Bumiputera students who achieved 10As in the SPM exam would be eligible for admission into the matriculation programme. PETALING JAYA : A students' group at Universiti Malaya has criticised the government for its 'policy flip-flop' on the eligibility of non-Bumiputera Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia holders for admission into the matriculation programme. University Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Lim Jing Jet questioned an education ministry circular issued on April 30 declaring that A- will no longer be recognised as Grade A. The circular states that Grade A refers to A and A+ grades, including four subjects graded with merit. In a statement, Lim contrasted this with the government's introduction last year of the '10As policy' and its promise that all non-Bumiputera students who achieved 10As in the SPM examination would be eligible for admission into the matriculation programme. 'Under the 10As policy, a student with 9A+ and 1B is considered less qualified than a student with 10A-, which is clearly unreasonable and unfair. 'Yet, at the time, the education ministry ignored public concerns and proceeded unilaterally. 'This recent 'shrinking' of the policy is nothing more than an attempt by the government to limit the number of eligible applicants and cover up the deeper structural contradictions in the system,' he said. On June 30 last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said all students who score 10As and above in the SPM examination, regardless of race or background, will be guaranteed a spot in matriculation colleges starting with the 2025 intake. 'This decision ensures that all top SPM students have the best opportunities to pursue higher education,' he said. Lim said Umany criticised the government for using the 10As policy to 'pacify non-Bumiputera voters' while refusing to address the root issue of racial quotas in university admissions. 'The matriculation programme's long-standing 90:10 ethnic quota significantly limits non-Bumiputera students' access to higher education and weakens the nation's overall talent competitiveness. 'If the education ministry genuinely seeks a fair and transparent higher education system, it must abolish the racial quota system and establish a unified university admission mechanism – only then can the root of the problem be addressed. 'We reiterate, no matter how it is adjusted, the 10As policy merely treats the symptoms, not the cause,' he said.
