KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry (MOE) is looking into the proposal for a single university entrance exam for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and matriculation holders, says Wong Kah Woh.
The Deputy Education Minister said the ministry is looking into the proposal seriously.
“However, at this juncture we do not have a decision. But MOE is giving its commitment to ensure that students from matriculation and STPM will have a bright platform,” Wong said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya) on the government’s plans to unify the matriculations and STPM exams.
Wong also said the ministry is also studying the possibility of working with the Higher Education Ministry to establish a Premium Form 6 college.
He said both the ministries are committed to enhance STPM as the pre-university education pathway of choice for SPM leavers.
He said the Form 6 education has been rebranded under the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2013-2025, to attract more SPM leavers to choose the pathway.
Wong said there are 635 institutions nationwide that offer Form 6 education, making it the largest post-SPM pathway.
“In terms of certification, STPM is on par with the Cambridge University’s A-Levels programme, which is one of the prestigious universities in the world.
“Therefore, STPM is certified by all universities in Commonwealth countries and other renown universities in the world,” he said.
Wong said STPM graduates with outstanding results who meet the necessary criteria can apply for scholarships from JPA, MARA, and other organisations.
He was responding to a question by Lee on the ministry’s efforts to strengthen STPM as the main pre-university programme for government scholarship recipients.