KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth has submitted an official appeal to the Education Ministry over this year’s matriculation admission process, where over 400 SPM high achievers have sought the party’s help for failure to secure a spot.
Four of these students had also scored A+ and A in 10 or more SPM subjects.
MCA Youth Education Consultative committee chairman Ong Chee Siang said 413 appeals from SPM leavers were handed to the assistant of Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh in Putrajaya yesterday morning.
The submission included academic transcripts, performance breakdowns and analytical reports.
He said a total of 255 of the 413 students had met the previous admission qualifications, scoring all As, but failed to secure a spot based on the latest “guidelines”.
On April 30, the Education Ministry released a circular stating that only students with 10As in SPM – comprising A+ and A in all subjects – will be given an automatic offer for the 2025/2026 matriculation session.
Previously, SPM students with 10As and above were guaranteed a place, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in June last year.
Ong said the sudden change in entry requirements, inconsistency in policy and unclear guidelines have left many in limbo.
He said, according to data compiled by MCA, the number of appeals for matriculation has surged by 2.4 times, from 173 in June 2024 to 413 in the same period this year.
“Among the 413 applicants, four students obtained straight A or A+ in 10 or more subjects.
“One student achieved 9A+ in all subjects, 14 students scored 9As or A+, and 17 received a mix of As and A- across 9 subjects.”
He cited an example of twin sisters who both scored 9As and 1A- and had nearly identical co-curricular points, but one received a matriculation offer whereas the other did not.
“If two students have similar SPM results but only one has secured a spot in matriculation, there is clearly an issue.
“We are puzzled as to why an A- is now considered insufficient when previous ministry documents – such as a 2009 circular – clearly stated that A- is classified under A2 and should be considered as ‘A’,” he said.
He added that the ministry also failed to provide clear and timely admission guidelines on the automatic admission for straight A students, which was promised to be released by July 3 last year.
Ong also questioned the short deadline for the 2025 intake and appeal, which has caused concern among parents and students.
“Matriculation intake appeals close on June 21, but orientation starts just two days later, on June 23.
“Classes begin on June 27, leaving very little time to process appeals or admit students who were initially rejected.
“We’re not sure how the ministry can manage all this so quickly. Last year, some students only got in weeks before the first semester ended,” he said.
MCA Youth legal expert Teoh Tuck Wah said when things are suddenly changed without warning, the ministry can be exposed to legal challenges.
“We ask the ministry to act quickly and fairly. Education should never be handled with uncertainty,” he said.
