MARANG: The construction of the Terengganu Matriculation College in Bukit Payong should be fast-tracked to expand access to educational opportunities, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the move is also important to ensure that the educational facility can be utilised by students as soon as possible, in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen access to quality education nationwide.
“Applications from Terengganu for the matriculation programme have exceeded 7,000.
“There has been no matriculation education facility in this state, which means the need for this college cannot be disputed.
“Although the project begins with RM27mil, once completed, it will be significant (in its benefits) if we can expedite it,” Anwar said during the ground-breaking ceremony of the matriculation college here yesterday.
Also present were Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.
The Terengganu Matriculation College received an initial allocation of RM27mil and will have a capacity of up to 3,000 students, equipped with modern laboratories, student hostels as well as complete academic facilities.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government will also focus on implementing educational programmes and projects that can secure the future of the younger generation.
He said the Cabinet had decided that students who obtained 10As in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination would automatically be given opportunities for higher education, such as matriculation colleges.
Anwar said the 90% admission quota for bumiputra students would be also maintained.
“In this matter, the brightest children of wealthy urban families are not marginalised, while the 90% quota is retained to prevent the widening gap between the rich and the poor,” he said, Bernama reported.
The Prime Minister also urged the younger generation to strengthen their mastery of research, science and technology by drawing lessons from countries such as Iran, particularly in advancing scientific capability.
He said this would help ensure that Malaysia is better equipped to withstand external pressures.
“The lesson from this is the strength of unity among the Iranian people and the quality of education, research, science and technology.
“This has allowed them to endure despite pressures from the world’s largest economic and military powers, namely the United States and its ally Israel,” he said.
