Latest news with #FreeTertiaryEducationScheme
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
No agent, third party appointed to offer Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme, ministry clarifies
MEITD says that it takes seriously the information that certain parties are promising free education opportunities in exchange for payments or other forms of compensation from the public. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 26): The Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) has never appointed any individual, agent or third party to offer the state's Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). It said that it takes seriously the information that certain parties are promising free education opportunities in exchange for payments or other forms of compensation from the public. It clarified that such actions are illegal and can be considered fraud attempts. 'The MEITC will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or party found to have deceived or misused the name of MEITD of the Sarawak government for personal gain. 'As such, the public is urged not to be easily deceived by such offers and to always be cautious of individuals or parties claiming to represent the government in matters related to free education,' it said in a statement today. It added that any FTES-related official statements would only be issued by the MEITD through the official communication channels of the Sarawak Government. – Bernama education free FTES MTEID sarawak
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to prioritise critical, technical courses under FTES for now, says Sagah
Sagah (third left), Mohamad Kadim (second left) and others carry out the 'Ngiling Bidai' ritual marking the end of Gawai. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 26): The Sarawak government will prioritise critical and technical courses under its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to meet the growing demands of industries in the state, said State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. While acknowledging the importance of other academic fields, Sagah said the initial focus must be on areas crucial to the state's economic development. 'I cannot make the decision myself, but what I can say is that next year's FTES will only cover critical courses. 'This is because we are seriously considering the urgent needs of Sarawak's industries,' he said. He was responding to a proposal by i-CATS University College Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Datuk Ts Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, during the institution's Gawai Celebration today, who had earlier called for the scheme to be expanded to include more disciplines. Sagah said the state government hopes to see tangible results from the initial phase of the scheme, particularly in workforce development and income growth for Sarawak. 'If successful, the scheme may be expanded. Hopefully, as more students enter the workforce and help boost the state's income, we can eventually look at including more courses beyond just the critical ones,' he added. Earlier in his speech, Mohamad Kadim proposed that FTES be extended to non-technical fields such as economics, business, hospitality, and tourism, arguing that these sectors also play a vital role in Sarawak's development. He highlighted the hospitality industry's ongoing reliance on workers from outside Sarawak, stressing the need to develop more local talent for the sector. He said by strengthening education in hospitality and tourism, there would be more opportunities for Sarawakians to fill the growing vacancies The FTES, set to be implemented in 2026, will initially cover undergraduate programmes in STEM fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance, and psychology. Participating institutions include Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), and i-CATS University College. courses Free Tertiary Education Scheme FTES Roland Sagah technical
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Sarawak warns against fake agents offering free education scheme
KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) has issued a stern warning against individuals or groups falsely claiming to represent its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). The ministry confirmed it has never appointed any agents or third parties to facilitate applications for the programme. Recent reports of parties soliciting payments or compensation in exchange for education opportunities under FTES have prompted the ministry to act. MEITD emphasised that such offers are fraudulent and illegal. 'The ministry will not hesitate to take legal action against those misusing MEITD or the Sarawak government's name for personal gain,' it stated today. The public is advised to verify official announcements only through Sarawak government channels. 'Always be cautious of unauthorised claims regarding free education,' the ministry added. Genuine updates on FTES will be released exclusively via official government platforms.
BusinessToday
31-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education: A Scheme That Sounds Better Than It Works
Dr. Syed Alwee Alsagoff The Sarawak state government's recent approval of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), debated in Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak and set to commence in 2026, deserves closer examination. Academic commentators caution that such schemes may, in certain conditions, undermine the very goals they seek to achieve. Theoretical frameworks across disciplines warn against such approaches. Economic theory via Gary Becker's Human Capital demonstrates how removing price signals distorts investment decisions. Sociological analysis through Pierre Bourdieu's Cultural Capital shows free access benefits only the privileged. Social psychology's Leon Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory explains why students undervalue cost-free education. The fundamental flaw becomes apparent when examined through three critical pressure points. These interconnected challenges are funding sustainability, employment economies, and social outcomes. When any one area fails, the entire system breaks down. The Funding and Quality Crisis Free tertiary education begins with noble ideals. It may quickly collapse under financial strain. Universities become chronically underfunded – lecture halls overflow, equipment grows obsolete. Faculty burnout soars as universities compensate by slashing staff and morale – quality lies in ruins. Without proper funding, 'free' becomes a bargain at the cost of excellence. Scotland's SNP policy cut per-student funding by 15% in a decade. France still struggles with Mitterrand's underfunded fiscal legacy – its 2014's dismal stats reported 30% on-time graduation, 44% first-year retention. Macron's recent €904M education budget cuts worsen overcrowded reality. Germany stumbled initially. Merkel's Higher Education Pact 2020 and Excellence Initiative had to pour billions into reforms. They reinstated Numerus Clausus restrictions. Elite program admissions remain brutally competitive everywhere. Only 20% of qualified applicants secure UK medical school spots. 25% in Germany's Numerus Clausus. 5% of NEET-qualified candidates in India. These bottlenecks exist regardless of tuition fee schemes. The verdict? Free tuition works only with massive, sustained investment and tough controls. Anything less fails students and economies alike. Job Market Disconnect Critics argued against Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa-era 20% graduate unemployment. Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's education expansion bred 'diploma mills.' Free tuition without market accountability fails. When neither students nor universities bear the cost of poor program choices, the result is identical. Protests over unemployable degrees. Systems that prioritise access over outcomes. Today, Sarawak's economy depends heavily on oil, gas, and palm oil. It requires specific technical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities. While the FTES covers STEM, Law, Medical, Accounting, and Finance programs, this traditional academic focus may not align with future emerging economic needs. A free university system that channels students toward conventional programs today – rather than future growth sectors like digital technology, green energy, and advanced manufacturing – creates ill-equipped graduates tomorrow. Social Mobility Failure The most profound irony: poorly designed free education policies may increase inequality rather than reduce it. Chile's experience under Michelle Bachelet's expanded free higher education shows how middle-class families capture the greatest benefits. Working-class students continue facing barriers from living costs and cultural capital gaps. Brazil shows similar patterns under Lula da Silva's expansion policies. Chronic underfunding creates a two- tier system. Wealthy families send children to expensive private schools for university preparation. They then capture most free public university places. Poor students miss out entirely. In Sarawak, urban families in Kuching and Miri are better positioned to take advantage. They have superior secondary education preparation and stronger social networks. Rural and indigenous communities face different barriers that removing tuition fees doesn't address. A Better Path Some critics say Sarawak merely requires resolute governance to optimise implementation rather than pursuing ideologically-driven yet demonstrably ineffective strategies. Rather than blanket free tuition, the focus should be on: Enforcing PTPTN's income-contingent loans with proper graduate tracking Targeted equity reforms – more scholarships for poor and rural B40 students Performance-based funding that rewards universities for post-tertiary professional trajectories. The debate isn't about ideals of access (this is unassailable) but implementation realities. A tuition-free degree is worthless if it doesn't open doors. Related
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education Scheme to benefit 10,000 next year
Sagah speaks in the august House during the State Legislative Assembly today. – Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo KUCHING (May 26): Around 10,000 Sarawakian students will benefit from the upcoming Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) which will be implemented starting next year, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said the scheme, which was approved by the Sarawak government in March this year, is projected to cost approximately RM300 million in its first year. 'FTES will first focus on undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance and psychology. 'This scheme is only for Sarawakians and will apply to four higher-learning Sarawak-owned institutions namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College,' he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. He also said that under the scheme, a stipend of RM15,000 per year is also included to students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month. 'However, there are also other financial assistance in the form of scholarship or loan, provided by Yayasan Sarawak to cater for any other courses, so nobody is being left out,' he said. During the winding-up, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) has sought for clarification from Sagah querying why not all the courses were provided free to the Sarawakian students. 'According to my research on the revenues of these universities, their total revenue for a year comes up to RM150 million. These include revenue or tuition fees paid by foreign students who I believe are not entitled to the free education benefits. 'All in all, it is less than RM150 million to give the free education to all Sarawakian students studying at these higher learning institutions so why are there only certain courses provided?' he asked. To this, Sagah said FTES is only at its first stage upon its implementation in 2026. 'This is only the beginning, and we must also spend wisely. We are also looking at the talents we need and what kind of talents would be required by the state in the next few years. 'It doesn't mean that we are now offering these courses and we will stop at that,' he said. 2026 Free Tertiary Education Scheme lead Sarawakian students
