PMX and Madani UG finally make bold move in education for multi-racial Malaysia

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PMX and Madani UG finally make bold move in education for multi-racial Malaysia

Update1

EDUCATION

MoE, MOHE to ensure places for top SPM students

Ministry says move will be made irrespective of race, background.

Updated 11 hours ago · Published on 01 Jul 2024 5:17PM

The Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Higher Education with the aim to realign placements based on students' programme preferences.

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) will work with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to ensure outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students with 10As and above are provided places - irrespective of race and background.

"Both ministries will work to review applications from outstanding students who applied for matriculation programmes or programmes through UPUOnline which is managed by the Public Institutions of Higher Learning Student Admissions Division.

"The effort aims to realign placements based on students' programme preferences," the MoE said in a statement.

This follows a statement from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that all students who score 10As and above in the SPM examination, regardless of race or background, will be guaranteed a spot in matriculation colleges starting with the 2025 intake.

"Placement offers and course selections will be contingent on candidates' qualifications and availability within the MoE's Matriculation Programme, while MOHE focuses on admissions to foundation and diploma programs at public universities," read the statement.

The ministry said the decision will ensure that outstanding SPM students from B40 families have equitable access to higher education, while the existing Bumiputera quota system for the Matriculation Program will remain unchanged.

"The Madani government remains committed to broadening educational access for the benefit of all students, recognising them as crucial to the nation's future," added the MoE. - The Vibes, July 1, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1, 2024: Malaysia’s 10^th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim and his so-called Madani Unity Government (UG) has finally found their courage to make bold changes in the education policy for the general good of multi-racial Malaysia.

Anwar said the decision to open spots in matriculation programmes to all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) top scorers, regardless of race, was to reduce tension in the education system.

“The education ministry faces ‘tension’ every year when matriculation placements are announced.

“So we (the Cabinet who made the decision) took a balanced approach. If they are our citizens, we should protect them. Therefore, we must accept the reality of meritocracy,” he said in his speech today at the Prime Minister’s Department’s monthly assembly.

“This should ease the ‘tension’ that the education ministry faces almost every year (when matriculation placements are announced). In such matters, the heated political climate can sometimes lead to racial and social tensions.”

Bravo to the UG and multi-racial Malaysia:

No News Is bad News reproduces below a news report on Anwar’s surprising “announcement”:

Matriculation spots opened to all top scorers to ease tensions, says PM

Lynelle Tham-01 Jul 2024, 09:32 AM

Anwar Ibrahim says the education ministry faces ‘tension’ every year when matriculation placements are announced.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Bumiputera quota in matriculation admissions has been contentious, with debates over minority rights versus the Bumiputera privileges outlined in the constitution.

PUTRAJAYA: The decision to open spots in matriculation programmes to all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) top scorers, regardless of race, was to reduce tension in the education system, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said the Bumiputera quota for matriculation college admission had caused controversy at times, with some arguing against minority rights and others questioning the rights of Bumiputeras enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“So we (the Cabinet who made the decision) took a balanced approach. If they are our citizens, we should protect them. Therefore, we must accept the reality of meritocracy,” he said in his speech today at the Prime Minister’s Department’s monthly assembly.

“This should ease the ‘tension’ that the education ministry faces almost every year (when matriculation placements are announced). In such matters, the heated political climate can sometimes lead to racial and social tensions.”

Yesterday, Anwar announced that all students who score 10As and above in SPM, regardless of race or background, will be assured a spot in matriculation colleges starting with the 2025 intake. However, he said the existing Bumiputera quota for the matriculation programme would not be affected.

The prime minister said the decision was made by the Cabinet last Friday to address the issue of fairness in education.

Racial quotas for admission to public universities were abolished in 2002. However, matriculation colleges maintain a 90% quota for Bumiputeras, while certain foundation courses are exclusively for Bumiputeras.

Anwar said that while meritocracy was important, there was still a need for justice and fairness to avoid disadvantaging marginalised and poor communities.

Citing John Rawl’s concept of “justice as fairness” and Michael Sandel’s “tyranny of meritocracy”, he said it was unfair to expect students from underprivileged backgrounds to compete on equal terms with those from well-equipped urban schools.

“Expecting students from places like Manek Urai to compete with Malay College (Kuala Kangsar) or (SMJK) Chung Ling, which have urban facilities, is unfair. Similarly, expecting (these elite schools) to compete with secondary schools in Kapit (Sarawak) is also unfair,” he said.

“So while we support meritocracy, we still need to uphold the principles of justice and fairness. If we focus solely on meritocracy, those who are marginalised and poor will continue to suffer.

“We can uphold meritocracy without rigidly adhering to it.”