Govt reverses 'national school only' condition to enter MRSM

 

The government has decided to reverse its decision which limited entry into the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) to students from national schools only.

In a statement, Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid said all students regardless of their stream would now be allowed to apply for MRSM.

"I would like to stress that the policy and requirement for MRSM entry have been reverted to the original requirements so all students are given the opportunities to apply.

“The qualifications and student selection will be made based on the MRSM Entry Tendency Test (UKKM), which tests students’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) inclination, and their personality," Mahdzir said in a statement today.

Several opposition figures yesterday slammed the government over the new requirement to enter MRSM.

The decision would have excluded students from Sekolah Rendah/Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (primary and secondary vernacular schools), Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan (government-aided religious schools), and Sekolah Menengah Agama Kebangsaan (national religious secondary schools).

Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap MP, said the decision to remove the requirement was made upon the spirit of “Keluarga Malaysia” (Malaysian Family), a slogan repeatedly emphasised by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said there are currently 77,834 MRSM applicants for Form 1 and 24,495 for Form 4 for the 2022 intake.

However, there are only 7,500 slots available for Form 1 and 2,000 for Form 4.

Mahdzir added that the 10 percent intake quota for non-Bumiputera students into MRSM will remain in place.

He said Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), the body responsible for the schools, will prepare a 60pct quota for high-achieving students from B40 (bottom 40 percent of income earner) families.

“MRSM’s education system aims to open secondary education opportunities to create more holistic Bumiputera students, who will be excellent in the fields of academic, science, technology, and entrepreneurship.

“We would like to thank the public for giving their recognition and always holding a high regard for the education system at MRSM,” Mahdzir said.

For the record, there are 55 MRSM schools nationwide currently accommodating 37,198 students. - Mkini