THE matriculation programme is not the only way Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) top scorers can gain access to public universities. They can also enrol in foundation programmes.
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Educational Studies professor in curriculum studies and education policy Prof Dr Hazri Jamil said both matriculation and foundation programmes are formal tertiary education options for those who have completed their secondary education.
“Both have its own strengths and are designed to cater different needs, making it challenging to compare their level and quality,” he explained.
He said matriculation offers a broad and standardised curriculum that ensure students meet the general requirements of public universities nationwide. Exams are the same for every student regardless of which university they are enrolled in.
“This standardisation is a mark of quality, ensuring all students obtain a consistent level of education,” he said.
On the other hand, Prof Hazri said foundation programmes are more specialised and tailored to align closely with the undergraduate programmes of the host university.
“This can lead to more focused and relevant preparation for a students’ chosen field of study, potentially enhancing the quality of education in terms of subject-specific knowledge and skills,” he said, adding that the quality of education in both programmes are equivalent in terms of preparing students for higher education, but they serve different purposes.
Ultimately, Prof Hazri said choosing between the two would depend on a student’s specific needs including their career goals and academic vision, as well as the university they wish to attend.
“Both programmes have the potential to offer high-quality education if they are well-designed and effectively implemented,” he said.
