PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry will consider the request by the private higher education industry to review the minimum entry requirement of five credits into first-degree programmes which is said to be too high.
Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad said the appeal by the two main associations representing the industry – the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (Mapcu) and the National Association of Private Higher Educational Institutions (Napei) – would be looked into.
“They have not made any formal request to me so let me see their reasons first,” he told The Star.
He explained that the decision to set the requirement for entry at five SPM credits was “a quality consideration.”
The Star reported on Wednesday that even among some of the country’s top institutions, enrolments had dipped by up to 20%, prompting the industry to call for a review of the ruling that was imposed from the 2003/2004 academic session.
Musa had announced in August that students must obtain five credits at the SPM level to be considered for entry into any foundation or matriculation programme leading to a degree.
Previously, students could gain entry with three credits.
“Quality is not something that can be compromised. If there is a way to take in students with fewer credits without compromising quality, we are ready to listen,” Musa said.
Mapcu and Napei said the industry’s medium and small-sized colleges would be badly affected by lower enrolments as a result of the requirements.
Napei president Dr Mohd Talha Alithamby said it was unfair to deny an opportunity for further education to students who fell short of the requirement.
