KUALA LUMPUR – Fadhlina Sidek has reiterated that everyone who achieved 10A in SPM will be offered a matriculation spot, regardless of race or where they come from.
Fadhlina explained that in total, 4,877 10A scorers applied for a spot in matriculations, where 2,610 of the total were Bumiputera, and the remaining 2,267 were non-Bumiputera.
From this, she shared that 3,684 have received offers for the first intake, comprising 2,496 Bumiputera applicants and 1,188 non-Bumiputera nationwide.
Meanwhile, 400 comprising 33 Bumiputera scorers and 367 non-Bumiputera have been offered for the second intake, with registrations happening today and tomorrow.
The remaining 712 who have not received an offer will be going through another selection process, allowing them to also secure a spot in the pre-university programme.
“The remaining 10A scorers who are yet to secure spots (in the matriculation programme) will be offered directly and in phases until all students (have received an offer).
The education minister added that this will be done by the third week of August.
She explained that this was to provide students with options to pursue their already-requested matriculation programmes or to accept offers from the Central University Admission Unit (UPU) – which will be announced on August 6.
“We are committed to offering a matriculation spot to all 10A scorers, regardless of race or locality,” she said at the Special Chambers today.
Fadhlina was responding to an emergency motion filed by Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin-PH), who requested to debate the issue of students achieving at least 10As in SPM but were not accepted to any matriculation programmes.
On Tuesday, Chong said many outstanding students were not offered places in matriculations in the recently published intake list, despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assuring them a spot in the 2024 intake.
On June 30, Anwar said all SPM students who achieved 10As and above in SPM will have equal opportunities, irrespective of race or locality, to be placed in matriculation programmes.
However, he said the Bumiputera quota system will remain, explaining that opportunities must also be given to children from poor backgrounds.
Anwar also said the automatic spots in matriculation programmes for 10A scorers was a move to “reduce tensions” on a matter which non-Bumiputera students have continuously faced.
Fadhlina and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir assured that both ministries would coordinate to ensure top performers are offered placements either in matriculation or public universities. – July 11, 2024
