IPOH: The proposed transfer of Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and matriculation studies from the Education Ministry to the Higher Education Ministry will not disrupt students’ learning process, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.
He said the proposed move would not be rushed, as it requires extensive discussions between the two ministries, Bernama reported.
“Next week, the management of both ministries will meet to discuss and determine a suitable timeline for the transition.
“We cannot implement it abruptly, for example, having it under the Education Ministry today and the Higher Education Ministry tomorrow, because it involves matters such as asset management, maintenance and teaching staff,” Wong said after launching a smartboard initiative for 83 national-type Tamil schools in Perak, involving an allocation of RM984,000, here yesterday.
On Thursday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government would establish a special committee to study the proposal to place the STPM and matriculation programmes under his ministry.
The move is part of the planning for the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is scheduled to begin in 2026.
On Dec 7, the media reported Zambry as saying that the move is aimed at streamlining assessment processes and student entry pathways to the university level, and is among the major reforms planned under the Higher Education Development Plan 2026-2035.
