Students want fair varsity admission system, not just scholarships - DAP Youth to MOHE

 

DAP Youth has urged the Higher Education Ministry to reform the university admission system to ensure a transparent and fair process, instead of just offering scholarships to selected students.

This came after Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir recently announced that 27 top-performing Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students will receive full sponsorships to pursue their studies at public universities.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong pointed out that many students nationwide want a fair admission system to public universities and that the ministry should not lose sight of the bigger picture.

"If the ministry continues hesitating to undertake bold and comprehensive reforms to the university admission system, the vicious cycle of brain drain and inequality in access to higher education will continue over the next 10, 20, or even 50 years.

"In particular, many Malaysian children will continue to be denied fair access to higher education if the ministry's inaction and indifference towards reforms persist.

"Ultimately, they may be deprived of the opportunity to pursue the courses that they most desire and that are best suited to their abilities and aspirations," he said in a statement today.

The Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson added that the ministry must try to retain and nurture the country's top talent and implement targeted poverty alleviation policies to help children from lower- and middle-income families transform their lives through education.

Make data public

The first step toward meaningful reform, Woo (above) said, should be a fully transparent university admission process.

"MOHE should comprehensively publish data on academic performance and related admission standards of students admitted to all public universities.

"This will allow the entire selection process to be subjected to rigorous public scrutiny and accountability, rather than relying on one-sided official explanations every year to placate students and parents after admission results are announced," he added.

Yesterday, Zambry announced full study fee sponsorship for 27 STPM leavers pursuing bachelor's degrees at 18 public universities.

The minister said the sponsorship was a joint initiative by his ministry and the Malaysian Examinations Council for students who have shown excellence in their studies. - Mkini