GUARANTEED MATRICULATION ENTRY APPROPRIATE, A RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENT STUDENTS - EXPERTS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The government's decision to guarantee top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students entry into matriculation regardless of race and region is a necessary step towards empowering the nation's education sector and recognising the outstanding achievements of Malaysian children.

According to Deputy Registrar of Universiti Putra Malaysia Noor Mohamad Shakil Hameed, the government's decision opens opportunities for all students, irrespective of race, to have equal chances to further their studies.

He said that with an increasing number of top students, this decision could alleviate parents' concerns about their children's future prospects in higher education.

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"What is important is that the government does not compromise on the position and opportunities of Malays as the Bumiputera quota is maintained and defended. Thus, there is no issue of such a decision jeopardising Malay students' opportunities to continue their studies in matriculation.

"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," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Earlier, the government assured that all SPM graduates who achieved 10As or higher, regardless of race and region, will be offered the opportunity to further their studies at the matriculation level, starting this year.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reportedly said that the decision agreed upon by the Cabinet in their meeting on Friday will not affect the existing quota for Bumiputera students.

Echoing Noor Mohamad’s observation, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for the Study of Educational Diversity, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Dr. Anuar Ahmad welcomed the government's decision, viewing it as a recognition for outstanding Malaysian students.

"In my opinion, this is a change we must acknowledge: our outstanding children should not be marginalised. If they excel, they should be given opportunities and recognition.

"However, we must not neglect our less outstanding students. For example, many Bumiputera children achieve good results like 6As or 7As but come from poor families, thus limiting their educational opportunities," he said.

Thus, he hoped that the number of places or student intake at Matriculation colleges can be increased to ensure that Bumiputera students who achieve good results can continue their studies at these institutions.

“If we can increase the intake by 10 to 20 per cent, we will see more Bumiputera children able to study at Matriculation colleges. At the same time, we must also celebrate non-Bumiputera children who achieve excellent results.

“We do not want this action to be seen as taking away opportunities or rights from Bumiputera. In my opinion, this is not an issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, a private sector employee, R. Naviin, 34, said the announcement is proof of the government's commitment to producing more excellent students to lead and meet the demands of key industries in the country in the future.

The father of three school-going children said the announcement is also a great motivation for students with potential in their studies, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.

“The government is strongly committed to nurturing a new generation of excellence, which I believe is a positive strategy to ensure that no skilled and educated students are overlooked or left behind,” he told Bernama.

-- BERNAMA