Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on June 30 was hailed by some as a positive development to promote meritocracy. KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s move to guarantee outstanding non-Bumiputera students spots in a public pre-university programme has been panned by some as a “meaningless” gesture that does not substantively address racial quotas in the country’s education system. The government has said it will now allow all students who score 10 As or more in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams – equivalent to Singapore’s GCE O levels – to enter the matriculation programme to prepare them for university, regardless of race.
The matriculation programme, which takes one or or two years to complete and is akin to pre-university education in Singapore, is much sought after as those on it are guaranteed places in Malaysia’s public universities. It is a much cheaper option for parents than sending their children to private local universities or funding their studies abroad. “If our children scored 10 As or more, or obtained excellent results, without any exception, they will get a place.
This is an assurance from the government,” said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 30. “This bold decision does not imply that we have solved the issue of fairness in education. There must be a willingness from the ministry, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, scholars and academia to accept the reality that much more needs to be done to ensure op.
