Latest news with #SPM
The Star
5 hours 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.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
PHEB awards RM70,200 to Indian SPM top scorers in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 167 high-achieving Indian students in Penang who excelled in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination received contributions amounting to RM70,200 from the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB). Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the students, who scored 7As and above across 37 schools, reflect the state government's continued commitment to educational development. 'I believe every young person in Penang has great potential to succeed, provided they remain committed and seize the opportunities for guidance and support available to them. 'The state government continues to prioritise human capital development as outlined in the Penang2030 Vision, with a key focus on enhancing access to quality education for all,' he said during the PHEB Education Carnival for SPM and STPM leavers and the 2024 SPM top scorer appreciation ceremony today. Also present were PHEB chairman RSN Rayer and his deputy, A Lingeshwaran. Meanwhile, Lingeshwaran said this marks the second consecutive year the board has recognised outstanding Indian students in Penang, with each of them receiving RM50 for every A obtained in the SPM examination. He added that between 2023 and May 2025, PHEB has channelled a total of RM883,607 towards educational aid for students pursuing certificate, diploma and degree programmes, as well as welfare assistance. 'Last year, PHEB received an allocation of RM1.5 million from the state government. This year, the amount has increased to RM2 million. 'We hope these funds will continue to benefit the Indian community in Penang, especially our youth pursuing education,' he said.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
MCA receives 214 complaints from straight-A SPM students failing to secure matriculation
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (left) and party youth chief Ling Ting Soon (right) showing the results of SPM a straight A's student consisting of A and A only but still did not get a spot in Matriculation. YONG PENG: At least 214 straight-A students have reached out to MCA after failing to secure a spot in matriculation following an abrupt change to the entry requirements. Party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that as of 10pm on Saturday (May 30), MCA had received matriculation-related complaints from 394 disappointed students. "Out of the cases we received, 214 of them are mostly students who scored straight As in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), but had one or two A-. "They were supposed to be eligible for the programme, but suddenly the Education Ministry changed the requirement and A- is no longer considered 'cemerlang' (excellent). 'There were also cases where the students have even fulfilled the new requirement after getting straight A's consisting of A+ and A only, but still did not get a spot in matriculation,' he said. He said this in a press conference after officiating the Ayer Hitam MCA general assembly here. Dr Wee also pointed out that these were just cases MCA has received, and the number of students facing the same plight is a lot higher. "Last year, we also raised the matriculation issue after the Prime Minister said that only those with 10As can enter the programme. "There are students who only took nine subjects. How are they supposed to get 10 As?" he said, adding that the government has yet to respond to the matter. In a video on Friday (May 30), Dr Wee said that the Education Ministry had released a circular on April 30 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. Dr Wee pointed out that this move, which was confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh on Facebook, was a significant shift from the government's policy last year when students with 10As in SPM were allocated a place in matriculation. In June last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that all SPM students, regardless of background, who scored 10As and above, would be given a place in the matriculation programme.
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Is A- in SPM now a B or C, asks Wee
MCA president Wee Ka Siong has raised questions over grading in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination and wants to know how this will affect matriculation applications. Wee, in a video posted on Facebook, asked if an A- in the SPM examination is not considered an A, whether it is then a B or C.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Letters: Aces go places
I REFER to the letter 'Straight As but at what cost?' by Dr Pola Singh published in StarEdu on May 11 ( While I understand the writer's apprehension about the high number of 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) top scorers, I would like to congratulate each and every one of these aces. I assume you not only did well in the SPM, but were active in various school activities and showed consistency in your academic performance probably since your primary years. Your peers might have teased you for being a bookworm or an introvert, but deep down inside, the hurtful words probably came from a place of envy and admiration, wishing they could shine like you. Learn to accept the expectations that come with being a straight A student but be modest. Did you get a scholarship? Which college will you attend? What course will you take? Can you cope with a new environment? These and many more will be asked of you (and your parents) to the point where you may start to feel that your achievement is a double-edged sword. Don't allow others to make you nervous. Feel good about yourself and focus on the positives. Be confident and believe in yourself because the pressure will continue to mount. If you are sent abroad to pursue your tertiary education, you are likely to be homesick. There you are, alone in a foreign country, experiencing a different environment and culture for the first time in your life. Your heart will tell you to take the first flight home but you know you must persevere to discover a new world filled with unique opportunities and life-changing moments. With your excellent academic results, you are likely to be accepted by prestigious institutions that demand only the best of you. You and your parents will constantly be asked about your progress. Some who ask are genuine in wanting you to succeed. Others are just waiting for signs that you are faltering so that they can begin raining negative comments on you. Don't ever doubt yourself because you have made it this far. Set a high standard for yourself and stay focused on the future. Never get complacent. When you are intent on achieving your dreams, do not be afraid to strive for it. Skills can be acquired and honed, knowledge can be collected and wisdom comes with time. But it is only by having a passion for your studies that you will succeed and be better than the competition. And again, you will find yourself the envy of others. DR ARZMI YAACOB Ex-academic
