MCA urges MOE to release matriculation entry rules

Summary

• MCA pressed the Education Ministry to release its guidelines for entry into government matriculation programmes so that students can prepare ahead of time.

• The party’s education consultative committee chairperson Ong Chee Siang says a lack of transparency has created confusion and uncertainty among students.

MCA urged the Education Ministry to publish its guidelines for admission into government matriculation programmes.

This will help students sitting for SPM next year to prepare, said the party’s education consultative committee chairperson Ong Chee Siang, in a statement today.

“Currently, the absence of clear guidance has left many students and their families uncertain and confused.

“This ongoing uncertainty has led to growing frustration and declining public confidence in the ministry and the government as a whole.

“There is concern that without proper guidelines, changes to admission policies will continue to be made on short notice each year, leaving students unprepared and unfairly affected,” Ong (above) said.

Yesterday, the Education Ministry announced that students who scored 10As and above for SPM, including those with A-, will receive places in matriculation programmes regardless of their racial background.

This followed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s pledge that all students with 10As would be eligible for government matriculation programmes.

Previously, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and DAP came under fire from MCA and MIC, after it was found that the ministry had classified A and A- in SPM grades as below excellent.

Sudden policy shifts

Commenting on Anwar’s pledge, Ong said the Education Ministry did not follow through until it faced public pressure.

“A similar situation occurred again this year. After the release of the SPM results, the ministry again changed the criteria without notice, removing A- students from the automatic admission list,” he said.

He added that such last-minute policy changes have affected high-achieving students, causing them to be overlooked.

This includes students who sat for only nine subjects, he said.

“Those who scored 9As, especially 9A+, are clearly strong performers. Their efforts should be recognised equally.

“All top-performing students, whether they sat for nine or 10 subjects, deserve fair and equal consideration.

“No student should be left behind due to an unclear or unfair admissions system,” he said.

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