Much welcomed U-turn for students

The Star

2 days ago

PETALING JAYA: Students who sat for the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) are relieved that the A- grade has again been accepted as an entry requirement for the matriculation programme.
For Leong Yung Jun, 18, from Pahang, who scored 2 A+, 1 A- and 7As, it is the news that he had been eagerly waiting for.
'On June 25, I heard that A- will also be considered as an A for entry into the matriculation programme.
'After all the frustration and disappointment, it felt that a second chance finally showed up. Hopefully, I'll be able to secure a spot in the programme that I've been working so hard for,' he said.
Nadeen Amani Afizul, 18, from Kota Damansara also welcomed the Education Ministry's decision.
She said the earlier straight A+ requirement was unfair to those seeking quality and affordable education.
'I think it is fine if the Education Ministry wants to filter the best students but leaving out those who obtained all As is rather odd.
'Students opt for matriculation because it has the reputation to be a good start for university courses. So I think it is unfair to those who couldn't achieve straight A+,' she said.
However, due to the earlier restriction, Nadeen, who obtained 9As consisting of A+ and A- in SPM, had opted to apply for a YTP Mara scholarship.
Alternatively, she is looking to enrol into Kolej Yayasan UEM or International Islamic University of Malaysia.
For Amanda Khan Nazim Khan, 18, allowing entry for students who scored A- will enable those who turned down the matriculation programme to give their spot to others.
The teenager from Kuala Lumpur, who scored 9A+ for SPM, turned down the offer and intends to further her studies via the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) system or Satu.
(UPU is a centralised government admission platform used by Malaysia's public universities, while Satu is an alternative pathway for students to apply directly to Universiti Malaya.)
On May 30, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong criticised the ministry's revised entry criteria for no longer recognising A- as equivalent to an A.
The Ayer Hitam MP said students had prepared based on last year's criteria only to find the goalposts had been shifted, a move he described as unfair.
He added that MCA has received hundreds of appeals from students and parents who were confused and disheartened by the change.
Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said all students who scored 10As, regardless of race, would be accepted.
However, a circular issued on April 30 stipulated that only those with 10 straight As, comprising only A+ and A grades, qualify automatically.
Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-­general Fouzi Singon said it should not matter whether students obtained A+ or A- to pursue the matriculation programme.
'Most importantly, whether there are enough placements for students. If they have the capacity, even those who obtained Bs should be allowed entry.
'To me the U-turn on the A- has to do with timing, capability and availability of the ministry in offering the course. This is because not everyone wants to pursue matriculation as some prefer the foundation course or Form 6 or go overseas,' he said.
On Wednesday, the Education Ministry said all students who achieved 10As and above in SPM will be granted a place in the matriculation programme, including those who got A- in some subjects.
This follows a Cabinet decision that all students with 10As and above, including A-, would be given a place if they apply for matri­culation, regard­less of race and background.
The announcement comes a day after Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that only students who score 10A+ and solid A grades in their SPM would get automatic admission into the matriculation programme.