I REFER to the letter “False hope” (StarEducation, Jan 16). I would like to express my views as I am also a non-bumiputra student from a Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) and have encountered the same situation as the writer.
Initially, teachers and parents convinced us that we would have a better shot at doing well if we studies at an MRSM. After enrolling, I was determined to stay on in the belief that my higher education options would be better.
I worked hard and got a GPA of 4.0 and 11A1 in my SPM trial examination. I had high hopes of being offered a scholarship but till today nothing has materialised.
In fact, I went for a Mara scholarship interview and was turned down. Since then, I have been wondering about the benefits of studying in an MRSM.
Are we (the non-bumi students) there to fill up the 10% quota or to motivate other students? At times, I regretted my decision to study in an MRSM as I could have had the same quality of education in my former school and stayed comfortably at home under the care and guidance of my parents.
Anyway, I am still very optimistic. I hope that my SPM results will be good and will enable me to apply for other scholarships and give me a chance to further my studies abroad.
I urge the relevant parties to look into this matter and give a satisfactory answer to parents who are wondering where their children are heading after the SPM in MRSM schools.
And to current and future MRSM students, I hope you will choose wisely between a day school where the surroundings are familiar to you or an MRSM where you would have to adapt to a new culture and strive harder.
Deeply disappointed
Via e-mail
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