Call for consistency: Dr Wee says the ministry should avoid making arbitrary decisions and changing the goalpost.
KUALA LUMPUR: Many students with straight As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) are questioning the fairness of the Education Ministry’s matriculation entry requirements.
Some 190 of these students have turned to MCA for assistance after the ministry’s sudden change in the entry qualifications – where those who scored A- in SPM are not considered to have attained an A, and only A+ and A are accepted, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He questioned the “ad-hoc change” in government policy.
In a Facebook video yesterday, Dr Wee noted that the Education Ministry had released a circular on April 30, which was confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh on Facebook, that only students with 10As comprising A+ and A in all subjects will be given an automatic offer to enrol into the matriculation programme for the 2025/2026 session.
Dr Wee pointed out that this was a significant shift from the government’s policy last year when students with 10As in SPM were allocated a place in matriculation, as announced by the Prime Minister.
In June last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said all SPM students, regardless of background, who scored 10As and above, will get a place in the matriculation programme.
Yesterday, Dr Wee said it was odd that now, the matriculation division of the ministry said only 10A+ and A will be automatically given places.
“Last year 5A+, 2A and 3A- is considered 10A. This year, 5A+, 2A and 3A- is considered 7A. What is this?” he asked.
With these changes, he said, the ministry has let down many, including outstanding Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli students from Sabah and Sarawak.
“Now A- is not considered an A anymore. Why move the goalpost?
“Under the Education Ministry standards, A+ is defined as exceptional, A as par excellence and A- as excellent. So, is an excellent grade (A-) no longer excellent?” he asked.
Dr Wee said it was common sense to regard all As as excellent, adding that this was something which is practised worldwide.
He asked about next year’s policy, specifically regarding the Public Service Department’s scholarships.
“Avoid making arbitrary decisions and changing the goalpost when people rely on a policy that was promised,” he said.
Dr Wee also pointed out that there were no countries that discriminated A- from A+ or A, with varying conditions imposed on the three grades.
“This is common sense and long adopted and accepted globally,” he said.
He further said that the Education Minister and her deputy needed to explain where A- sat in the categories now.
“If A- is not in the Grade A category, what then? B? C?” Dr Wee questioned.
Earlier yesterday, the party’s think tank Insap released a position paper on the matter, saying that the ministry’s step undermined Anwar’s promise last year that students who score 10As and above in their SPM would be guaranteed entry into the matriculation programme, regardless of racial background.
“This controversy is not a mere technicality. It adversely affects the future of students and their families, erodes trust in the public education system and raises serious questions about policy integrity and administrative transparency,” the paper said.
MCA is launching an online complaint channel for affected students and their families.
“Legal aid will be provided to explore judicial review of the retroactive policy change. Town hall sessions and dialogue platforms will be held nationwide,” it added.
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