KUALA LUMPUR: All students who obtained 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam will be guaranteed a place in any matriculation programme regardless of race or locality.
In announcing this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the details would be disclosed by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek tomorrow.
He said the decision was made by the cabinet last Friday to address the issue of fairness in education.
"The issue often becomes controversial when students pass the SPM but face limited educational opportunities.
"To address this problem, the cabinet convened last Friday to examine the proposals and consider solutions that do not overlook any group of students.
"The government has decided that starting this year, all our children who obtain excellent results, specifically 10As and above, will be guaranteed a place in the matriculation programme by the government," he said in his speech at the closing of the National Training Week in Bukit Jalil today.
The matriculation programme, established in 1998, is a preparatory programme for Bumiputera students to qualify them for undergraduate studies in science, technology and professional arts at local and international institutions of higher learning.
Starting in 2005, the selection process for the programme is done through a race-based quota system, where 90 per cent are reserved for Bumiputera students and 10 per cent for non-Bumiputera students.
Anwar said the existing Bumiputera quota system for the matriculation programme under the Education Ministry would remain unchanged.
He said this decision did not challenge Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which pertains to the reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits for Malays and natives of any of Sabah and Sarawak.
He also said this decision was made to ensure that all excellent students received the best opportunities to further their studies.
"This decision was made to guarantee opportunities for underprivileged children from urban, rural and remote areas.
"While we ensure that all students with 10As from all races are admitted into matriculation centres, we will continue to uphold the existing Bumiputera quota policy to ensure that no underprivileged urban children are left behind.
"This government recognises excellence, without exception regarding race or locality, and guarantees a place for them in matriculation programmes."
He added that the Education Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry would work together to detail the methods and implementation of this policy.
Anwar also hopes that the government's decision would not be politicised.
"The government is always striving to enhance access to and quality of education in the country while ensuring that the Bumiputera quota system and the principle of meritocracy are preserved for the benefit of all students."