Why is A- no longer an A?
Call for consistency: Dr Wee says the ministry should avoid making arbitrary decisions and changing the goalpost.
KUALA LUMPUR: Many students with straight As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) are questioning the fairness of the Education Ministry's matriculation entry requirements.
Some 190 of these students have turned to MCA for assistance after the ministry's sudden change in the entry qualifications – where those who scored A- in SPM are not considered to have attained an A, and only A+ and A are accepted, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He questioned the 'ad-hoc change' in government policy.
In a Facebook video yesterday, Dr Wee noted that the Education Ministry had released a circular on April 30, which was confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh on Facebook, that only students with 10As comprising A+ and A in all subjects will be given an automatic offer to enrol into the matriculation programme for the 2025/2026 session.
Dr Wee pointed out that this was a significant shift from the government's policy last year when students with 10As in SPM were allocated a place in matriculation, as announced by the Prime Minister.
In June last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said all SPM students, regardless of background, who scored 10As and above, will get a place in the matriculation programme.
Yesterday, Dr Wee said it was odd that now, the matriculation division of the ministry said only 10A+ and A will be automatically given places.
'Last year 5A+, 2A and 3A- is considered 10A. This year, 5A+, 2A and 3A- is considered 7A. What is this?' he asked.
With these changes, he said, the ministry has let down many, including outstanding Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli students from Sabah and Sarawak.
'Now A- is not considered an A anymore. Why move the goalpost?
'Under the Education Ministry standards, A+ is defined as exceptional, A as par excellence and A- as excellent. So, is an excellent grade (A-) no longer excellent?' he asked.
Dr Wee said it was common sense to regard all As as excellent, adding that this was something which is practised worldwide.
He asked about next year's policy, specifically regarding the Public Service Department's scholarships.
'Avoid making arbitrary decisions and changing the goalpost when people rely on a policy that was promised,' he said.
Dr Wee also pointed out that there were no countries that discriminated A- from A+ or A, with varying conditions imposed on the three grades.
'This is common sense and long adopted and accepted globally,' he said.
He further said that the Education Minister and her deputy needed to explain where A- sat in the categories now.
'If A- is not in the Grade A category, what then? B? C?' Dr Wee questioned.
Earlier yesterday, the party's think tank Insap released a position paper on the matter, saying that the ministry's step undermined Anwar's promise last year that students who score 10As and above in their SPM would be guaranteed entry into the matriculation programme, regardless of racial background.
'This controversy is not a mere technicality. It adversely affects the future of students and their families, erodes trust in the public education system and raises serious questions about policy integrity and administrative transparency,' the paper said.
MCA is launching an online complaint channel for affected students and their families.
'Legal aid will be provided to explore judicial review of the retroactive policy change. Town hall sessions and dialogue platforms will be held nationwide,' it added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Asian stocks fall as Trump fires fresh volley in trade war
HONG KONG: Asian stocks sank Monday after Donald Trump last week lobbed a fresh trade missile by doubling tariffs on steel and aluminium and accused China of violating last month's agreement to slash tit-for-tat levies. The US president's comments were followed by claims by his commerce secretary that Beijing had been slow to implement the deal, which helped rally markets last month and fanned hopes for a lasting detente between the world's top economies. Still, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent -- who last week warned negotiations with China were 'a bit stalled' -- said the US leader could speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping 'very soon' in talks that could help break the impasse. The latest salvos from the White House came as it faces a legal battle after a trade court on Wednesday blocked Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff blitz, saying he had overstepped his authority with the across-the-board taxes. An appeals court gave the levies a stay of execution on Thursday but the wrangle could drag on, causing more uncertainty. Trump said Friday he would jack up steel and aluminium to 50 percent, from 25 percent, which he said 'will even further secure the steel industry'. He also claimed Beijing had 'totally violated' last month's agreement with China to cut eye-watering tariffs for 90 days to hammer out a broader package. Later, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday' that Beijing had been 'slow-rolling the deal'. Chinese officials accused Washington of making 'bogus charges and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts'. The developments have thrown the trade war back into the spotlight, having been put on the back burner after the China detente and indications that governments were working deals with US officials. 'As we await whether the 90-day truce will result in a more permanent resolution, we are left wondering what may happen if progress stalls and the US and China are unable to make a deal,' said Kai Wang, Asia equity market strategist at Morningstar. 'Trump is already making headlines again on reimposing EU tariffs. 'Should this happen with the EU or China, markets will likely crater again and will see much greater volatility given the heightened uncertainty with regard to global growth.' Asian markets sank Monday as investors brushed off data showing the Federal Reserve's favoured inflation gauge cooled more than expected last month, with fears about the impact of the tariffs on the economy back in focus. Hong Kong dropped more than two percent, with property firms taking a heavy hit on worries over the future of New World Development after it deferred interest payments on some bonds. The firm is in the middle of a loan refinancing drive as it looks to raise more than US$11 billion from banks. Its struggles have revived fears about China's property sector as companies struggle to sell stock to help pay off their bulging debts. Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta also fell, with Shanghai closed for a holiday. Oil prices surged after OPEC and other key producers hiked output for July but less than expected, while geopolitical fears were ramped up after Ukraine hit air bases deep inside Russia, raising concerns over an escalation of the three-year war. The dollar also retreated on concerns about the US economy as Trump continues to push a bill to extend tax cuts and slash welfare spending, which observers say will add trillions to the already gargantuan national debt. That has sent shivers through the Treasuries market, with yields pushing higher as investors seek out better returns for lending the government money. Worries about US debt led Moody's to lower the United States last top-ranking credit rating, warning it expects US federal deficits to widen dramatically over the next decade. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon voiced concern Sunday at the risk of a looming US debt market crisis sparked by Trump's policies. 'It's a big deal. It is a real problem,' Dimon told Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business Network's 'Mornings with Maria' show, according to an excerpt of the interview that will air in full Monday. 'The bond market is going to have a tough time. I don't know if it's six months or six years,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
China rejects Trump's accusation that it breached Geneva trade deal
WASHINGTON: China said on Monday that US President Donald Trump's accusations that Beijing had violated the consensus reached in Geneva trade talks were "groundless", and promised to take forceful measures to safeguard its interests. The comment by the commerce ministry was in response to Trump's remarks on Friday that China had breached a bilateral deal to roll back tariffs. The ministry said China had implemented and actively upheld the agreement reached last month in Geneva, while the US had introduced multiple "discriminatory restrictive" measures against China. Those measures included issuing guidance on AI chip export controls, halting sales of chip design software to China and revoking visas for Chinese students, the ministry added. "The US government has unilaterally and repeatedly provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations," the ministry said in a statement. It did not elaborate on what forceful measures it might take in response. Beijing and Washington agreed in mid-May in Geneva to pause triple-digit tariffs for 90 days. In addition, China also promised to lift trade countermeasures that restricted its exports of the critical metals needed for US semiconductor, electronics and defence production. Trump on Friday also announced a doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent. While China is the world's largest steel producer and exporter, it ships very little to the United States after a 25 per cent tariff imposed in 2018 shut most Chinese steel out of the market. China ranks third among aluminium suppliers. (Reporting by Shuyan Wang and Chen Aizhu; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kate Mayberry)
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Gold prices climb as tariff jitters lift safe-haven demand
NEW YORK: Gold prices climbed on Monday as an escalation in the Russian war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's fresh threat to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum prompted investors to seek refuge in safe-haven bullion. Spot gold was up 0.5 per cent at US$3,305.85 an ounce, as of 0204 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.4 per cent to US$3,329.80. "With trade and geopolitical worries bubbling to the surface once again, it's no surprise to see gold ticking higher to start the week," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. "Risk assets are on the backfoot to start the week while a dip in the dollar is also keeping gold supported." Trump said on Friday that he plans to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 per cent from 25 per cent, prompting the European Commission to warn that Europe is prepared to retaliate. Ukraine and Russia escalated hostilities ahead of their second round of peace talks in Istanbul, with a wave of attacks that included one of Ukraine's boldest strikes of the war and an overnight drone assault by Russia. The US dollar index edged 0.2 per cent lower, making bullion less expensive for overseas buyers. Markets are awaiting speeches from several US Federal Reserve officials this week for cues on the monetary policy outlook, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell set to speak later in the day. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that interest rate cuts remain possible later this year even as the Trump administration's tariff regime is likely to push up price pressures temporarily. Gold, which is considered as a safe-haven asset during the time of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, tends to thrive in low-interest rate environment. Meanwhile, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak soon to iron out trade issues including a dispute over critical minerals, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday. Elsewhere, spot silver was steady at US$32.99 an ounce, platinum was down 0.6 per cent at US$1,049.72 and palladium fell 0.5 per cent to US$965.77.
