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Matriculation admissions: MCA Youth submits appeal to Education Ministry
Matriculation admissions: MCA Youth submits appeal to Education Ministry

The Star

time12 hours ago

  • General
  • The Star

Matriculation admissions: MCA Youth submits appeal to Education Ministry

Photo: AZLINA ABDULLAH /The Star KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth has submitted an official appeal to the Education Ministry over this year's matriculation admission process, where over 400 SPM high-achievers had sought the party's help after failing to secure matriculation spots. Four of these students had also scored A+ and A in 10 or more SPM subjects. MCA Youth central committee member Ong Chee Siang ( pic ) said 413 complaints from SPM leavers were handed to the Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh's assistant in Putrajaya on Wednesday (June 4) morning, including academic transcripts, performance breakdowns, and analytical reports. He said a total of 255 of the 413 students had met the previous admission qualifications, scoring all As in their SPM, but failed to secure a spot based on the current unclear and inconsistent guidelines. The Education Ministry, on April 30, had released a circular stating that only students with 10As comprising A+ and A in all subjects would be given an automatic offer to enrol in the matriculation programme for the 2025/2026 session. Previously, SPM students with 10As and above were guaranteed a place in the matriculation programme, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibra­him in June last year. Ong said the sudden change to the entry requirements, inconsistency in policy and unclear guidelines have left many in limbo. He said according to the party's data, the number of appeals into matriculation has surged by 2.4 times, from only 173 in June 2024 to 413 in the same period this year. 'Among the 413 applicants, four students obtained straight A or A+ in 10 or more subjects. 'One student achieved 9 A+ in all subjects, 14 students scored 9 As or A+, and 17 received a mix of As and A- across 9 subjects,' he said. He cited an example of twin sisters who both scored 9 As and 1 A- and had nearly identical co-curricular points, but one received a matriculation offer and the other did not. 'If two students have similar SPM results but only one secures a spot in matriculation, something isn't right. 'We are puzzled why an A- is now considered insufficient when previous ministry documents — such as a 2009 circular — clearly state that A- is classified under A2 and should be considered as an 'A',' he said. He said the ministry failed to provide a clear and timely admission guideline on the automatic admission for straight A students, which was promised to be released by July 3 last year. Ong also questioned the short deadline for the 2025 intake and appeal, which has caused concern among parents and students. 'Matriculation intake appeals close on June 21, but orientation starts just two days later, on June 23. 'Classes begin on June 27, leaving very little time to process appeals or admit students who were initially rejected. 'We're not sure how the ministry can manage all this so quickly. Last year, some students only got in weeks before the first semester ended,' he said. MCA Youth legal expert Teoh Tuck Wah said when things are suddenly changed without warning, the ministry can be opened to be legally challenged. He said MCA Youth is urging the Education Ministry to publish clear rules for matriculation admission, including whether A- grades are still accepted and to give advance notice before changing policies. 'We ask the ministry to act quickly and fairly. Education should never be handled with uncertainty,' he said.

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

The Star

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • The Star

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

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.

Ayer Hitam MCA passes resolution to retain Dr Wee, Ling as GE16 candidates
Ayer Hitam MCA passes resolution to retain Dr Wee, Ling as GE16 candidates

The Star

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • The Star

Ayer Hitam MCA passes resolution to retain Dr Wee, Ling as GE16 candidates

YONG PENG: Local MCA leaders in the Ayer Hitam division of Johor have passed resolutions for current MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Yong Peng state assemblyman Ling Tian Soon to be renominated to contest the 16th General Election. These were among six resolutions that were passed during the division's annual general meeting, which was attended by MCA president Dr Wee and Ling, who is also MCA Youth chief. The other resolutions that were approved by the some 200 delegates on Sunday (June 1) were to support Dr Wee to steer the party back to its former glory amidst political instability as party president. They also want Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to continue leading the state and Johor Barisan Nasional. The division also urged the Education Ministry to review the new matriculation entry requirement, where those who scored A- in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia are not considered to have attained an A, and also explain why Chinese schools were given lower allocations in last year's budget.

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