A viral post on Facebook by a Kedah teacher spoke of her grievances at the unfair quota system that limits the entry of non-Bumiputera students into matriculation colleges.
In it, she writes, “There is only a 10% quota available for non-Malay students nationwide to enter the 15 matriculation colleges. This is unfair as all the matriculation colleges are publicly funded by taxpayer money.”
“I have witnessed many non-Malay students who were disappointed for not being allowed to further their studies at matriculation colleges.”
“The look on their faces when they fail to enter matriculation colleges as a bridge to public university devastates me.”
As a teacher, the netizen writes of how she encourages her students to pursue medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, but only to find out they’ve been rejected due to the quota in place.
“I have stressed many times that the system is unfair. You are using the taxpayer’s money to fund an education system that is 90% from the majority race.”
“Are Malays the only ones who pay taxes? Is this fair?”
The teacher’s condemnation of the quota system caught the attention of many, on both sides of the argument.
Showing support for the teacher, several have shared points that resonated with her reasoning.
One netizen writes, “There is no longer a need for the quota system in education. Those who are good in their studies deserve a place in the system. A Bumi supporting non-Bumis… amazing.”
Another highlights that there should be more teachers like her.
“This is the kind of educator the country needs…Thank you.”
A number of commenters are also rooting for the policy to be changed.
“I am a Malay, and this saddens me. We are close to the year 2020, yet policies like this take us back to the 1800s.”
The move for a more inclusive education system is needed and should be looked into by the Ministry of Education.
There is nothing wrong with an education system that judges Malaysian youth based on merit and nothing else.
Also read: You Can Now Submit Proposals on Ways to Improve Malaysia’s Education System, Here’s How