Dr Wee: Don't ignore students with A- denied entry to matriculation

The Star

2 days ago

Seeking fairness: Dr Wee (left) and MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon holding up the SPM results of straight A students who were denied entry into matriculation, during a press conference in Yong Peng, Johor.
YONG PENG: Heartbroken A- students who were denied entry into the matriculation programme deserve to have their plight addressed urgently, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said as of Saturday, the party had received complaints from 394 students who failed to secure places in the programme, most of whom had achieved straight As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
'Out of the cases we received, 214 students scored straight As in SPM but were still denied entry into matriculation.
'This includes 211 students who had only one or two A- grades. They would typically qualify, but the Education Minis­try has now changed the criteria, and A- is no longer recognised as 'cemerlang' (excellent).
'There were also three cases involving students who met the new requirement by scoring A+ and A, yet were still not offered places,' he said after opening the Ayer Hitam MCA division's annual general meeting here yesterday.
Dr Wee noted that the reported cases represent only those who have reached out to MCA and the actual number of affected students was likely much higher.
'These students should not be left hanging,' he stressed.
He added that the situation was made worse by the fact that the change in requirements was only made after the SPM results had been released.
'Many had already celebrated their excellent performance, only to be disappointed later. It's truly heartbreaking,' he said, adding that he had received calls from affected students thanking him for raising the issue.
Dr Wee also said among those who contacted the party were students who scored 9A+.
'Last year, we raised concerns when the Prime Minister said only those with 10As would be offered a spot.
'But what about students who only took nine subjects? How are they supposed to get 10As?' he asked, noting that the government has yet to provide a response.
On Friday, Dr Wee posted a video on Facebook criticising the Education Ministry's official circular issued on April 30, which no longer recognises A- as equivalent to an A.
Under the new policy, confirmed by Deputy Education Minis­ter Wong Kah Woh, only students with 10 straight A+ and A grades would be automatically offered matriculation places for the 2025/2026 session.
Dr Wee said the change marks a major shift from last year's policy, which guaranteed spots to students with 10As and above, regardless of background, following a commitment made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.