Move up the ladder in education for B40 students

THE recent decision by the Education Ministry to give priority to children from the B40 group to study in residential schools or sekolah berasrama penuh (SBP) is commendable, “More places in residential schools” (Sunday Star, Dec 23).

Looking back, one of the major objectives in establishing residential schools was to improve the social mobility of the Malays who were deemed to be lagging behind the Chinese and Indians post-independence. Over the years, residential schools have greatly benefited the Malay community but have also created a false impression that they are reserved for high-achieving Malay students from the elite class.