Dr Wee questions Education Ministry on ineligibility of SPM straight-A students into matriculation programme

PETALING JAYA: The MCA has questioned why many straight-A SPM students were denied admission to the matriculation programme.

MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that people are eager to know why the Education Ministry defied the orders of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

Dr Wee explained that since the Prime Minister had already announced the Cabinet's decision for all students who scored 10As in the SPM examination to be given guaranteed placements in the matriculation programme, the Education Ministry must immediately implement the Cabinet's decision.

He said that the MCA Youth had submitted the appeal documents to the Education Ministry, and the results of the appeal for the matriculation programme were only announced at 3pm on Friday (July 5).

"The Ministry had 48 to 72 hours to handle the appeal cases," he said. "Why were so many students with straight As denied entry to the matriculation programme? Isn't the Education Ministry supposed to follow the Prime Minister's matriculation guarantee?" Dr Wee posted on Facebook on Monday (July 8).

He mentioned that, for over 20 years, MCA Youth has been handling appeals for the matriculation programme.

"After the appeal deadline, the MCA Youth Secretariat will compile and verify the documents within a day or two before submitting them to the Education Ministry," he added.

He praised MCA National Youth Education Consultative Committee Chairman, Ong Chee Siang, Central Committee Member Woo Kok Toong and Secretariat Phooi Fee Ming, who are responsible for sorting out the appeal list for the matriculation programme.

"MCA Youth tirelessly assists numerous students with their appeals, yet faces accusations from some quarters that they submitted the necessary documents to the Education Ministry two days after the deadline," he said.

However, he added that the MCA will always assist high-achieving students in their appeals.

"Such claims are baseless," Dr Wee said.