Latest news with #FreeTertiaryEducationScheme
BusinessToday
31-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education: A Scheme That Sounds Better Than It Works
Dr. Syed Alwee Alsagoff The Sarawak state government's recent approval of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), debated in Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak and set to commence in 2026, deserves closer examination. Academic commentators caution that such schemes may, in certain conditions, undermine the very goals they seek to achieve. Theoretical frameworks across disciplines warn against such approaches. Economic theory via Gary Becker's Human Capital demonstrates how removing price signals distorts investment decisions. Sociological analysis through Pierre Bourdieu's Cultural Capital shows free access benefits only the privileged. Social psychology's Leon Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory explains why students undervalue cost-free education. The fundamental flaw becomes apparent when examined through three critical pressure points. These interconnected challenges are funding sustainability, employment economies, and social outcomes. When any one area fails, the entire system breaks down. The Funding and Quality Crisis Free tertiary education begins with noble ideals. It may quickly collapse under financial strain. Universities become chronically underfunded – lecture halls overflow, equipment grows obsolete. Faculty burnout soars as universities compensate by slashing staff and morale – quality lies in ruins. Without proper funding, 'free' becomes a bargain at the cost of excellence. Scotland's SNP policy cut per-student funding by 15% in a decade. France still struggles with Mitterrand's underfunded fiscal legacy – its 2014's dismal stats reported 30% on-time graduation, 44% first-year retention. Macron's recent €904M education budget cuts worsen overcrowded reality. Germany stumbled initially. Merkel's Higher Education Pact 2020 and Excellence Initiative had to pour billions into reforms. They reinstated Numerus Clausus restrictions. Elite program admissions remain brutally competitive everywhere. Only 20% of qualified applicants secure UK medical school spots. 25% in Germany's Numerus Clausus. 5% of NEET-qualified candidates in India. These bottlenecks exist regardless of tuition fee schemes. The verdict? Free tuition works only with massive, sustained investment and tough controls. Anything less fails students and economies alike. Job Market Disconnect Critics argued against Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa-era 20% graduate unemployment. Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's education expansion bred 'diploma mills.' Free tuition without market accountability fails. When neither students nor universities bear the cost of poor program choices, the result is identical. Protests over unemployable degrees. Systems that prioritise access over outcomes. Today, Sarawak's economy depends heavily on oil, gas, and palm oil. It requires specific technical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities. While the FTES covers STEM, Law, Medical, Accounting, and Finance programs, this traditional academic focus may not align with future emerging economic needs. A free university system that channels students toward conventional programs today – rather than future growth sectors like digital technology, green energy, and advanced manufacturing – creates ill-equipped graduates tomorrow. Social Mobility Failure The most profound irony: poorly designed free education policies may increase inequality rather than reduce it. Chile's experience under Michelle Bachelet's expanded free higher education shows how middle-class families capture the greatest benefits. Working-class students continue facing barriers from living costs and cultural capital gaps. Brazil shows similar patterns under Lula da Silva's expansion policies. Chronic underfunding creates a two- tier system. Wealthy families send children to expensive private schools for university preparation. They then capture most free public university places. Poor students miss out entirely. In Sarawak, urban families in Kuching and Miri are better positioned to take advantage. They have superior secondary education preparation and stronger social networks. Rural and indigenous communities face different barriers that removing tuition fees doesn't address. A Better Path Some critics say Sarawak merely requires resolute governance to optimise implementation rather than pursuing ideologically-driven yet demonstrably ineffective strategies. Rather than blanket free tuition, the focus should be on: Enforcing PTPTN's income-contingent loans with proper graduate tracking Targeted equity reforms – more scholarships for poor and rural B40 students Performance-based funding that rewards universities for post-tertiary professional trajectories. The debate isn't about ideals of access (this is unassailable) but implementation realities. A tuition-free degree is worthless if it doesn't open doors. Related
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education Scheme to benefit 10,000 next year
Sagah speaks in the august House during the State Legislative Assembly today. – Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo KUCHING (May 26): Around 10,000 Sarawakian students will benefit from the upcoming Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) which will be implemented starting next year, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said the scheme, which was approved by the Sarawak government in March this year, is projected to cost approximately RM300 million in its first year. 'FTES will first focus on undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance and psychology. 'This scheme is only for Sarawakians and will apply to four higher-learning Sarawak-owned institutions namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College,' he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. He also said that under the scheme, a stipend of RM15,000 per year is also included to students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month. 'However, there are also other financial assistance in the form of scholarship or loan, provided by Yayasan Sarawak to cater for any other courses, so nobody is being left out,' he said. During the winding-up, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) has sought for clarification from Sagah querying why not all the courses were provided free to the Sarawakian students. 'According to my research on the revenues of these universities, their total revenue for a year comes up to RM150 million. These include revenue or tuition fees paid by foreign students who I believe are not entitled to the free education benefits. 'All in all, it is less than RM150 million to give the free education to all Sarawakian students studying at these higher learning institutions so why are there only certain courses provided?' he asked. To this, Sagah said FTES is only at its first stage upon its implementation in 2026. 'This is only the beginning, and we must also spend wisely. We are also looking at the talents we need and what kind of talents would be required by the state in the next few years. 'It doesn't mean that we are now offering these courses and we will stop at that,' he said. 2026 Free Tertiary Education Scheme lead Sarawakian students
Borneo Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Lukanisman: Lawas Hospital, Petra Jaya Hospital slated for 2026 completion
The Petra Jaya Hospital is on track for completion by 2026, said federal Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. – File photo MIRI (May 5): The new 76-bed Lawas Hospital project is expected to be ready by 2026, said federal Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. Speaking at the Miri Melanau Association's (PMM) 'Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri' here, he expressed his hopes the facility would ease the long-standing strain on medical infrastructure in Sarawak's northern region. He also said the long-delayed Petra Jaya Hospital in Kuching was now on track for completion next year. 'These projects reflect our commitment to decentralising healthcare, and ensuring underserved communities—especially in rural areas—have access to essential services,' he said. Lukanisman added the ministry was monitoring the potential implications of the tariff measures recently announced by US President Donald Trump, which could impact Malaysia's pharmaceutical and clinical device imports. He said a special parliamentary session convened today to address the issue. On the education front, he said the Sarawak government's plan to implement the Free Tertiary Education Scheme in 2026 was a testament to Sarawak's commitment to education and the future of its youth, particularly those from low or middle-income households. The scheme covers degree programmes at select local institutions focusing on courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Law, Medicine, Accounting and Finance. (From third left) Yii, Ting, Lukanisman, Abdullah and Ariffin in a group photo with the committee members of PMM at the event last night. 'Eligible students will be required to complete a one-year government-funded foundation programme before proceeding to their degree. 'Those from households earning RM1,500 per capita or less will also receive a RM15,000 annual living stipend and RM1,200 in pocket money via the S Pay Global digital platform,' he said. Lukanisman also voiced his support for a proposal to establish a cultural centre for PMM, expressing hope that funding could be secured through the state government. A formal proposal was recently submitted to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Towards this end, Lukanisman pledged RM10,000 from his constituency fund and an additional RM10,000 in his capacity as Deputy Health Minister. The event also saw contributions from Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting, who announced RM10,000 in support of PMM's activities, along with RM120,000 allocated under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP). Also present at the event were Miri Mayor Adam Yii, Miri Deputy Mayor Ariffin Mohamad and PMM president Abdullah Jaini. healthcare sector Lawas Hospital Lukanisman Awang Sauni Petra Jaya Hospital
Borneo Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM15,000 annual stipend for low-income students under FTES, says Sagah
Sagah speaks during the networking session today. KUCHING (April 24): Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn has announced that students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below will receive an annual stipend of RM15,000 under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). Speaking at a networking session with institutions of higher learning at a hotel here this afternoon, he said the FTES is set to be implemented next year and aims to provide critical financial assistance to students in need. 'This offers crucial financial support to those who need it most,' he said. The FTES will cover tuition fees for eligible Sarawakian students pursuing undergraduate degrees at state-based institutions, including Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College. Sagah said the scheme applies to 64 designated undergraduate programmes offered by these state-owned universities. 'This initiative is also a testament to our belief that education is a powerful tool for social mobility and economic prosperity. 'By removing financial barriers we aim to empower our youth, especially those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds to reach their full potential and contribute to Sarawak's growth as a high income developed state by 2030, as outlined in our PCDS 2030,' he said. annual stipend Free Tertiary Education Scheme FTES Roland Sagah
