PETALING JAYA: A special quota of 2,500 places should be allocated to Indian students to continue their studies at the matriculation level, says Datuk C. Sivaraj.
The senator said that while he welcomed the announcement made by the Prime Minister on the matriculation issue, he expressed concern that some Indian students will still feel marginalised and disadvantaged.
"This step is necessary to ensure that Indian students are not continuously marginalised and receive equal opportunities in higher education," he said in a statement late Monday night (July 1).
Sivaraj was responding to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on Sunday that all SPM students, regardless of background, who scored 10As and above would get a placement in the matriculation programme starting this year.
The senator also pointed out that students who scored 10As and above will still have many options such as foundation studies, scholarships, among others, to pursue higher studies.
"However, for students who obtain 6As to 9As, matriculation is an accessible platform for them to enter university, especially into critical courses such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. "This is the main purpose for opening matriculation to non-Bumiputera during the Barisan Nasional era," he said.
"Most Indian students will only take nine subjects. If they do not take Tamil Language and Tamil Literature, then it is also appropriate for the government to consider students who scored in the category of 6As to 9As, after students with 10As, have been given places.
"I hope the government will seriously consider this request and take appropriate action to ensure fairness and equality in our national education system," said Sivaraj.
