Retract Sudden A Rule For Matriculation Entry Mca Leader Urges

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MCA urged the Education Ministry to reverse its decision to classify the “A-” grade as being below excellent and reinstate the 10A benchmark for SPM-leavers to enter government matriculation courses.
“The public is not afraid of high standards, but they deserve policies that are clear, consistent, and fair.
“What Malaysians want is a government that can be trusted, not one that changes the rules without proper explanation or consultation,” said MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng in a statement today.
On May 15, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek came under fire from a MIC leader after her ministry classified the “A-” SPM grade as “below excellent”.
“This means students who obtain nine As, or 10 As, including the ‘A-’ grade, are no longer considered outstanding for this purpose.
”We must ask ourselves, do we want to recognise student excellence or merely fulfil certain quotas?” asked MIC senator C Sivaraj.
MIC senator C Sivaraj“It’s quite peculiar that outstanding students are forced to appeal for places in matriculation programmes, despite having already proven their efforts and results.
“Even more peculiar is how the education minister seems more preoccupied with defending unreasonable requirements rather than listening to public opinion,” he added.
According to the Education Ministry’s website, the matriculation programme was created in 1998 as a preparatory programme for bumiputera students to qualify to further their studies at the bachelor’s degree level at local and foreign institutions of higher learning.
Students confused, trust shattered
Unimpressed, Wee said the ministry should be held accountable for its sudden change in the grading policy for the SPM examination.
He added that the abrupt move has left many students confused and has further eroded public trust in the government.
SPM results generic photoADS“It’s also important to highlight that the matriculation programme continues to operate under a quota system of 90 percent for bumiputera and 10 percent for non-bumiputera students.
“This already limits opportunities for non-bumiputera students. By raising the entry threshold, the policy further sidelines minority communities in the education sector,” said the Tanjung Piai MP.
He also called for a thorough review of the quota system to ensure a fairer, merit-based admission process.
Wee also reminded the Education Ministry of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s pledge last year that all students with 10As would be eligible for the matriculation programme.
“To now announce that an ‘A-’ does not meet the standard is a betrayal of that promise.
“It also dismisses the efforts of hardworking students and undermines the credibility of our education system,” he said. - Mkini

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