KUALA LUMPUR: Educationists agree that the announcement on guaranteed matriculation programmes for outstanding students is crucial as it ensures their pathway to university.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Education lecturer Associate Professor Dr Hasnah Toran said the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was well thought out.
"Anwar said he had discussed it with the cabinet, and that this decision will not disrupt the quota system So it's not something he just thought of suddenly."
Hasnah said: "If these excellent students cannot continue their studies, it's not only a loss to them and their families, but also to the country.
"They have great potential, and we need to nurture that advantage."
Similarly, Selangor Matriculation College lecturer Azwani Erwan Eralian highlighted the government's decision to maintain the quota policy to prevent underprivileged urban children from being left behind for matriculation centres.
"We offer places to excellent students every year. When considering quotas, we need to look at their financial situation.
"There are B40 students who excel but cannot afford to enter matriculation. We need to help them so that they have an opportunity to change their family's lives."
She said the fees for matriculation were more affordable compared with diplomas, and matriculation students receive an allowance of about RM250 per month.
"Perhaps the allowance is also assessed based on family categories, but most students from B40 and M40 will receive it.
"So students do not need to worry about living costs at matriculation."
As a former matriculation student herself, she said the most significant advantage of entering matriculation was the fast-track approach.
"When we are in matriculation, it's as if we have one foot in the door to entering university because matriculation takes less than a year."
However, to enter university, students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and above.
She said the number of student admissions must take into account the availability of facilities at each matriculation centre.
This means that the number of students admitted to each centre should correspond to the capacity of its facilities.
"Every year, we offer many places, but sometimes the actual number of students who accept the offer is lower than expected.
"For example, we might offer seats for 4,000 students, but only 60 per cent may accept the offer."
Previously, Anwar announced that all students who obtained 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exam would be guaranteed a place in any matriculation programme regardless of race or locality.