KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is working in cross-ministerial cooperation, particularly with the Higher Education Ministry, on several programmes to enhance the quality of Form Six education.
Its minister, Fadhlina Sidek, said these programs include setting up Form Six premium colleges, which are scheduled to be implemented next year.
"Our key objectives are to ensure that Form Six students are given priority in enhancing its direction and improving the quality of education in Form Six.
"We will roll out the Form Six premium college programme next year and we received positive feedback.
With good cooperation (from the Higher Education Ministry), we will refine (the details) and announce (the programme) once all coordination is completed," she told reporters at the 2023 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Malaysian University English Test (MUET) best student awards ceremony here today.
Earlier, Fadhlina gave away awards to 17 top scorers from MPM, each receiving RM1,000, a plaque, and a certificate, including Orang Asli and special needs students.
She said the Form Six premier programme initiative, among others, aims to ensure the students' status, achievements, roles, and contributions in other fields are also given the necessary attention
On the cost-of-living allowances for STPM students, she said it is part of their effort to take care of the students' welfare.
She said the ministry will continue to pursue this by proposing the matter in the 2025 Budget, which is scheduled to be announced on Oct 18.
On July 9, the Education Ministry said it is planning to introduce cost-of-living allowances for STPM students to attract more interest in the programme.
Its deputy minister, Wong Kah Woh said the ministry is also considering allowances for Form Six senior assistant teachers and a higher per capita grant rate for STPM subjects.
These initiatives, he said, were in line with the Form Six Education Development Plan 2024–2030 launched last May.
Wong said the Form Six Education Development Plan 2024-2030 focused on enhancing the facilities and infrastructure of the ministry's centres, including empowering the STPM examination curriculum.