Every year, the Malaysian government hands out countless number of scholarships, student loans and 'convertible loans' to a countless number of students. This has helped many to reach their ambitions without putting too much burden on their familiy.

For this we have to applaud our government's interest to strive for a well-educated Malaysia. But scholarships are meant to be handed out to the needy. So the questions we should be asking are these:

  • 'Of all the recipients of this aid, how many truly deserved the scholarships?'

  • 'What is the criteria that needs to be fullfilled before someone earns a scholarship?' and

  • 'Is merits alone to be taken into consideration for approval?'

    • This is quite a serious problem as much of our funds are handed out to those who are underserving. Many underqualified students have gotten it either because of ethnicity, bribery or connections.

    Another question to ponder is, 'Why are scholarships given to students whose parents can afford to send them to medical school without aid?' These students (who are quite qualified) are taking away opportunities from others who want to achieve their dreams but do not have the full financial means to so.

    Johor Umno delegate Dr Mohd Puad Zarkhasi - in the report Scrap meritocracy if Malays are lagging - said very clearly that those of different incomes are not on a level playing field. The richer would have better access to education than the poor. This despite the poor student having better grades.

    Is it the aim of the government to make the rich, richer and the poor, poorer? Or is the aim to help the underprivileged in terms of education opportunities to assist them to better themselves economically?

    This is not a simple matter as scholarships have determined the future of many. Many of my peers have forgone their dreams because of the financial barrier. To have helped them would have created many dedicated professionals who would have been very grateful to our goverment.