An SPM school-leaver with excellent results has failed to get a government scholarship, prompting the father, also a teacher in the same school, to suspect if there were ‘inside deals’ awarding scholarships to unqualified students instead.

 

The father, who declined to be named, says he believes such an internal network exists, that contributed to unqualified students in his school “disappearing one by one” as they headed for overseas programmes or matriculation studies in local universities.

sad and disappointed students june4 penang scholarships hrp “(My) children are capable too. They are also loyal to this country because we always encourage them to embrace 1Malaysia,” said the father of three.

“When we see (those unqualified students) disappearing (on scholarships) one by one, we ask ourselves, what (then) are we?

"We too are Malaysians, we struggle, we work hard but look at (what has happened to) our kids. We are disappointed, we can see tears in their eyes, but what are we to do when we are stuck?” asked the visibly upset father.

Last year, Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin insisted that the awarding of the highly-coveted Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship had been done transparently, although he conceded that there were interest groups and members of the public who were in the dark over its selection process.

Despite his assurance, a number of Indian Malaysian students are crying foul that the government has ignored their scholarship applications despite having passed their exams with flying colors.

Some, who scored more than 7 'A's, are lamenting that their application for matriculation studies were rejected due to their skin color.

'Cheated by education system'

Yesterday, these students ( below ) gathered at the Indian-based Human Rights Party (HRP) office in Prai, Penang, to complain about how they felt cheated and disappointed by the country’s education system.

Thennarasi Pannir Selvam, who scored 8 'A’s in her exams at the Bukit Mertajam High School, was heartbroken that she was rejected although her results amply qualified her to study medicine.

students at hrp office june4 “I feel cheated, and unfairly treated. This is not 1Malaysia, because those whose results were lower than mine had been offered to study matriculations, whereas I did not get the chance,” said the 17-year-old, who comes from a low income family of eight.

Ravien Shanmugam, who obtained 11 'A's from SMK Balidshah said the system was terribly unfair to him as he had repeatedly appealed for  entry to the matriculation programme, but failed to get a response from the relevant departments.

“Even ‘normal’ students managed to get into matriculation; I studied hard and scored well in my exams. But I (am dependent) on the government to pursue my studies, and did not get a scholarship, so I feel very disappointed,” said Ravien, from a middle-income family of five.

Kavata Balasubramaniam, who scored 10 'A's at Penang St George’s School also failed to get into matriculation studies as she had hoped.

“I applied for the PSD scholarship because my parents cannot support me, as they have two other kids to care for. But I failed to get it, so I have no choice but to study in Form Six. I feel very disappointed,” she said.

‘A national issue’

N Ganesan, HRP advisor June 4 Meanwhile, HRP advisor N Ganesan ( left ) stressed that while the Indian community was most affected by this problem, it was a national issue faced by other communities as well.

“There is a definite scheme to clearly (oppress) them when they are young, so that (the prospect of a good) future is (robbed) from the Indians,” he said.

“We have been a minority, for more than 50 years we (have been) marginalised. And the problem here now is more acute than we are led to believe,” he added.

Referring to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s public claim to be willing to help the students with their applications and appeals, Ganesan suspected it to be mere lip service.

“I hope this is not something that is merely cosmetic. I hope something real happens, but as it is with this country, only when it happens (then) I (will) believe,” he said.

“How can we talk about human capital (for the country) when we stunt the growth of these students, just because they are Indians?” he asked.         

Political parties on bandwagon

    

The prime minister was recently reportedly to have expressed willingness to resolve the controversy over the awarding of the much sought-after scholarship, that assisted entry to overseas programmes or matriculation programmes in local universities.

Many SPM leavers with excellent grades who failed in their applications for the PSD scholarship and the placements have since appealed.

Parties like MCA, MIC and now HRP, have offered to help the students with the appeals.

VIDEO l 8.46 mins