A few days back, there were talks from several quarters including our Prime Minister Dr M, around re-evaluating the racial quota system in the Ministry of Education’s matriculation programme. As a result, the Cabinet has revealed that they will allow the number of student intake to increase from 25,000 to 40,000, reported The Malay Mail.
According to The Star, this means that 4,000 non-Bumiputera (Bumi) students can enter the matriculation programme. FYI, previously they only had 2,500 seats for non-Bumi students.
Meanwhile, 36,000 places will be allocated to Bumi students instead of 22,500 in the past. Adding on, the Education Minister noted that the 90:10 quota system in the matriculation programme still remains. In a statement, Maszlee explained,
“Following this, the Cabinet agreed to increase the ministry’s matriculation programme student intake from 25,000 to 40,000”.
Source: The Malay Mail
Education Minister Maszlee Malik said that the matter was brought up during the Cabinet meeting yesterday (24 April 2019). From those talks, they believe that the additional intake will ensure that performing students will get a shot to further their studies via the matriculation programme.
On the other hand, Maszlee also noted that the government increased the intake of students because they feel that the number of students in the science fields needs to be boosted. He continued,
“This decision is also seen as the best method in ensuring the programme can give educational opportunities to all races.”
“Along with this, the Cabinet has also decided to retain the quota for 90 per cent Bumiputera and 10 per cent non-Bumiputera students, in line with the programme’s original vision in encouraging more Bumiputera students to pursue science fields.”
Source: FMT
Following that, Maszlee said that the Finance and Education Ministry will discuss the additional cost of allowing more students into the matriculation programme.
“The Cabinet has also requested that the Education Ministry evaluate the appropriate strategic approach, including using the premises of the Institute of Teaching Education to accommodate the intake,” Maszlee finally said,
What do you think about this new implementation? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Tun M: Govt Will Study Racial Quota System in Matriculation Programme Intakes
