This is great news for Chinese students! Government matriculation institutions have very limited spots for non-bumiputera races but just recently, the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik had some exciting things to share.
In a press conference on June 28, he announced that the Education Ministry would allocate an additional 1,000 places in government matriculation institutions for Chinese students from the B40 category for the 2018/2019 session. These spots will be given to students who obtain excellent results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations so make sure to always study hard!
According to NST, the Cabinet had decided to offer more opportunities for these underprivileged students on a meeting held on May 30. However, this would not affect the current bumiputera quota as they are not replacements.
“The Bumiputera quota is almost full, with over 800 students. Pakatan Harapan will try its best to assist eligible students based on their achievements and socio-economic level, whether Bumiputera or non-Bumiputera,” he added.
“PH stands by its promise to help all students who deserve it, Bumiputera or otherwise, and depending on their socio-economic background. The matriculation programme enables the students to pursue their studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Maszlee added.
Currently, the 2018/2019 session has a total of 84,891 matriculation applications and 20,040 are from non-Bumiputeras. Out of these applicants, 4,068 non-Bumiputeras students were admitted. When asked about Indian students, Maszlee said that the previous government had already allocated 700 matriculation spots in April.
Since 2003, the programme had allowed 10% of non-Bumiputera students to be included as they reasoned that this would create an environment of healthy competition and promote national integration as well as racial unity. Maszlee said that the Education Ministry will study and review whether they would increase this 10% quota but in the meantime, they will allocate these 1,000 spots first.
On another note, special computer classes in vernacular Chinese schools within school hours will be cancelled as there had been complaints from parents about the varying fee structures. The schools could instead continue with these paid computer classes as part of their non-compulsory co-curricular activities.
Study hard, boys and girls! Stay in school and take all your exams okay?
Also read: English Language Will Be the Main Focus in M’sian Education, Says Maszlee