PUTRAJAYA: Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik (pic) will bring up current concerns over admission into the Education Ministry’s (MOE) matriculation programme with the Cabinet on Wednesday to get a proper outcome.
In a statement, Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin said the ministry took a serious view of the issues that were raised regarding admission into the programme.“Taking into consideration the views of all parties, the MOE will ensure that these issues are dealt with carefully in finding the best solution through the proper channels,” he said yesterday.
He said that based on the requirements, the ministry would stick to its original policy of allocating 90% for bumiputra and 10% for non-bumiputra students.
“This year, while improvements have been made, the 90:10 policy will still be maintained. It will provide opportunities for 60% of students from low-income (B40) families,” said Amin.
He said the ministry had revisited all proposals, including the proposed increase in quota allocation for non-bumiputra students which had to be in line with the original policy of 90:10.
The annual student intake for the matriculation programme is 25,000, of which 2,500 seats are allocated for non-bumiputra students.
“This programme was originally created for only bumiputra students,” said Amin.
Maszlee said in a statement last Friday that the 2,200 and 1,000 seats allocated respectively for Indian and Chinese students in the programme was a “one-off initiative” only for last year.
It was also based on current needs and involved seats allocated under the bumiputra quota that had not been filled.
Meanwhile, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia fully supports the ministry’s decision to maintain the intake policy of 90% bumiputra students and 10% non-bumiputra students in government matriculation programmes.
Party information chief Dr Mohd Radzi Mohd Jidin said this was in line with the ministry’s goal of developing the potential of bumiputra students in science and technology through quality pre-university education.
“On the issue of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates of Indian descent failing to follow the matriculation programme, Bersatu is confident that this issue will be resolved by the ministry.
“In principle, any qualified student who meets the ministry’s criteria should be given a place to study,” he said in a statement yesterday.
