NIBONG TEBAL: The Education Ministry has stressed that there is no need to abolish the matriculation system, as both the programme and the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) are recognised and fulfil the merit requirements for entry into public universities (UA).
Minister Fadhlina Sidek said both systems have long been part of the national education framework and play an important role in providing access to higher education for students.
"I have followed the debate and discussions on abolishing matriculation, but I would advise against taking this issue to extremes. Both STPM and matriculation have long been established in our education system.
"Each has its own strengths and fulfils the merit requirements for entry into public universities. At the same time, the Education Ministry is fully committed to continuously improving them based on feedback and suggestions received from time to time," she said.
She spoke to reporters after launching the Penang-level Madani Pre-University Congress 2025 at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Engineering Campus here on Sunday (Sept 14).
Fadhlina was responding to Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth’s (Umany) call for the government to abolish the matriculation system and use STPM results as the sole benchmark for entry into public universities.
The Nibong Tebal MP said the ministry has always given full attention to the academic aspects and welfare of students in both systems, and that improvements will continue to be implemented in stages.
She emphasised that the ministry has also introduced various initiatives to strengthen the Form Six programme, including enhancing student leadership through the recent implementation of student elections.
"We should not be divided by issues that bring no benefit and only create negative perceptions towards both programmes. Both remain vital in supporting education and in providing access to higher education for our children," she said. - Bernama
