Conflicting figures spark debate

KUALA LUMPUR: Conflicting figures on the number of matriculation students sparked a back and forth argument between former deputy education minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and his successor Teo Nie Ching.

The Ayer Hitam MP said the number of students for the matriculation programme was supposed to have increased to 40,000, from 25,000 previously, following a Cabinet decision earlier this year but pointed out there was a shortfall. Teo told the Dewan Rakyat that a total of 55,324 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers were offered a place in the matriculation programme for the 2019-2020 intake.The offer to SPM leavers was based on a Cabinet decision on April 24 to maintain the student intake for bumiputras at 90% and 10% for non-bumiputra students, said Teo.