PETALING JAYA: The government’s silence on the new matriculation entry requirement for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers has put the life of students on hold besides causing them a lot of frustration.
Hafsah Yaseer, 17, from Petaling Jaya said any changes in grading should be announced long before the exams to prepare students on what they can achieve and target.
She said even though matriculation is a fast-track programme costing less, the issue should not have been brought up at this time.
“I have appealed but I don’t have high hopes. I’m currently applying to Universiti Malaya through Saluran Satu,” said Hafsah, who obtained 8As in total, including A+ and A- for SPM.
“I’m not sure if they truly understand our feelings or what we went through while studying for our SPM and looking for placements,” she added.
As for a Johor Baru top scorer who only wants to be known as Foo, failing to get into matriculation has left her feeling regretful.
“I scored 9A+ and a merit point of 98, yet I still did not get accepted despite putting in all that hard work. Many of my classmates who got all As except for one A- also did not get in.
“I have submitted an appeal but I have not heard back from the Education Ministry.
“From what my seniors told me, it is tough for those who get in after their appeals are accepted because by then, about five weeks would have passed and the students will have to catch up on the lessons,” the 18-year-old said.
Foo considered herself lucky because shortly after getting rejected, she received a full scholarship at a private university to study pharmaceuticals, which is her choice course.
“My classmates however are willing to put their life and future on hold, in hopes of getting in because of their family’s financial situation. Not everybody can afford private universities as an alternative,” she said, adding that they also have to worry about living expenses besides tuition fees.
Another SPM leaver Teng Chin Hoon, 18, from Johor Baru also voiced her frustration
“After receiving my SPM results of 3A+, 5A and 2A-, I felt that the possibility of entering matriculation was slim, especially after the Education Ministry suddenly changed the requirement of not recognising A-.
“They should have told us earlier,” she said, adding that she decided to enrol in Form Six after weighing her chances.
The Education Ministry stated that matriculation applicants who were not offered a place may submit an online appeal until tomorrow.
The results of the appeal will be announced on June 30.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had criticised the Education Ministry’s revised entry criteria, which no longer recognises A- as equivalent to an A.
Under the new policy, only students with 10 straight A+ and A grades will be automatically offered matriculation places for the 2025/2026 session.
Dr Wee said the change marks a major shift from last year’s policy, which considered students with 10As and above for matriculation, following a commitment made by the Prime Minister.
The Ayer Hitam MP said students had prepared based on last year’s criteria, only to find the goalposts had shifted, a move he described as unfair.
He added that MCA has received hundreds of appeals from students and parents who are confused and disheartened by the change.
