Govt should apply all qualified students a chance for matriculation, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: The government should offer all qualified students an opportunity to study matriculation programmes regardless of race as long as they possess the required SPM results, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said, in a Facebook post Thursday (July 4), that the government should also clarify the prerequisite SPM results for students to qualify for matriculation programmes.

"It is not easy to maintain the 10% non-bumi quota. What if the student takes nine subjects and scores all As. It is impossible for them to score 10As. So we must address this issue and there must be some clarity." he said with reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent announcement that all those with 10As for the SPM will be assured a place for matriculation.

The Ayer Hitam MP said the Education Ministry should also be specific about the results of the 11,713 students who scored straight As, clarifying if it was nine As or 10As.

He said the ministry's announcement that the seats were subject to availability was also worrying as it meant those with the required results will not automatically be given a place for matriculation.

"I do not think this is what the Prime Minister announced. They should adopt the principle of meritocracy to accept all students regardless of race The important principle is for all, regardless of race, to be accepted as long as they get certain results. We will have to wait for the official announcement." Wee said.

On Sunday (June 30), Anwar announced that following a decision reached in a Cabinet meeting days earlier, all SPM students, regardless of race, who scored 10As and above will get a place in matriculation programmes.