From FMT:
Question marks over matriculation vs STPM
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa recently said: “I hope all parties will stop issuing statements regarding the matriculation quota system in order to respect the decision of the Cabinet.”
Is this a sign to ask the people to shut up? But what if the decisions made by the Cabinet are irrational, ill-informed or biased? Can the people at least provide some criticism, comments or feedback? In fact, I have even more questions to ask now that this issue has been brought to the forefront.
If we claim that admission to public universities is based on merit, may I know if an A in matriculation is the same as an A in STPM?
If we admit that the matriculation exam is less vigorous, how can we accept it as an equivalent to STPM?
On the other hand, if we claim that matriculation is the same as STPM, why does everybody want to join matriculation? In fact, fighting to get into matriculation now is like fighting to get into preferred courses at public universities. Please bear in mind, this includes non-Malay students who manage to get into matriculation and who will now have an advantage over non-Malays sitting for STPM.
If we increase the intake for matriculation while maintaining the same easier standard (or without recalibrating the equivalent standard with STPM), how can we claim it will not affect the STPM students’ chances of admission to public universities? It is a zero-sum game, is it not?
If we claim that matriculation is mainly for students from the B40 group, may I know for sure how many of the total intake are truly from the underprivileged and lower income group? I think we should properly define and identify this group. Do we really have the information on this? It is my considered opinion that most matriculation students are not from the B40, although I would love to be proven wrong on this.
If we want university admission to be easier for Bumiputera students because the job market has been unfair to them, then it is vital that we look at “unfairness” in the job market rationally. Is the unfairness due to race, religion, skills, knowledge, attitude or competency?
I have no doubt that the majority of the workforce in this country comes from the Bumiputera community. But if we are going to talk about who gets to excel or become entrepreneurs, or who is able to contribute more significantly, then surely quality of education, skills, attitude and worldview are important.
So why are we telling our students they could have an easier route to a degree but expecting them to perform and excel in their jobs? Have we not provided them with a wrong education and inculcated them with a wrong attitude to begin with?
I think most people are aware of what is going on. There is no free lunch in this world. It is time for the government to substantiate what it says and not to indulge in ambiguity and generality.
TK Chua is an FMT reader.
TK Chua has been a prolific commentator online, almost any Solo subject in Malaysia, you name it, he us an instant expert.
ReplyDeleteWas he OK with metrikulasi in the last 15 years ? Because I don't recall he ever commented on it.
I am quite cynical about the metrikulasi issue , because so many people were previously silent about it. It feels like a manufactured issue.
all thanks to Maszlee's incredible percentile formula, wakakaka
Delete"Matriculation inculcating students with wrong attitude"
ReplyDeleteIt's not the students which are at fault. It is the greedy and well-off mostly Malay parents of students who make the politicians continue an education policy on Matriculation under the cover of Bumiputera quota who wants to continue enjoying the gravy train at the expense of other Bumiputera races as well as the Non-Bumiputera who really need such affirmative policies.
Other reasons given are just pure hogwash justifications and insulting the intelligence of most Malaysians who knows how the system really works for such greedy interest groups who hide under the cover of Bumiputeras.
all these ping-pong arguments is taking us nowhere but more animosity, everyone wants to be a winner or champion
ReplyDeletein the aftermath of May 13 everyone came together to reconcile, compromise, give and take and let level heads prevail to chart a new direction, is it really that impossible to revisit that spirit again? the way I see it the edu minister wouldn't dare take such a bold step or initiative
Just follow DAP meritocracy. Use spreadsheet, keep adjusting until you get the result that you want. Apa salahnya?
ReplyDeleteSo u r the team member of that ketuanan up keeping examination board!
DeleteEnuff said.
Depa ni masuk ikut jalan apa?
ReplyDeletePakai matrikulasi atau STPM? Boleh cakap Melayu?
QUOTE
Malaysia to offer scholarships to Palestinian students, says Dr Mahathir
Noel Achariam
Published on 22 May 2019
DR Mahathir Mohamad today said the government will be offering scholarships to Palestinian students to pursue bachelor, masters, and PhD courses in 12 Malaysian universities.
The scholarships worth RM11.48 million will be offered through the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM).
UNQUOTE