Of the 214 top students in the country who scored A+ in all their SPM subjects, only 30 were  awarded National Scholarships (NS), and DAP national vice-chairman M Kula Segaran wants to know why.

“Why is there discrimination in that some got the scholarships and some didn’t? he posed.

dap education roundtable meeting 111006 m kulasegaran Last year the government created the national scholarships which were to be awarded purely on merit.

“In fact if meritocracy is the basis for selection then all these 214 top students should be given the scholarships,” reasoned Kula (left) who is also party state deputy chief and Ipoh Barat MP.

The new grading of A+, A, and A-, was introduced for 2009 SPM results to make it easier for identifying the best of the best.

Up in arms

Politicians from both sides of the floor were up in arms as to why the other bright sparks were left out of NS.

Three days ago, DAP Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng highlighted that the plight of Edwina Tang Choi Wern, who scored A+ in all the 13 SPM subjects and was the best performer from Penang, but was denied the NS. wee ka siong interview 220310 01

Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong (right) had also revealed that there were  complaints from four top scorers (one student who scored 17A+, one with 14A+ and two with 13A+ each) but failed to receive the NS.

Kula said the opaque policy of awarding scholarships would only further drain away Malaysian best brains.