Maszlee: B40 quota for boarding schools won't affect top students

The 60 percent quota in public boarding schools for less fortunate students will not impact top students, assured Education Minister Maszlee Malik. 

This, he said, is because a top student will do well in any school.

"In my experience, a top student will do well no matter where they are, even in a kampung school or regular school, they will excel," Maszlee told reporters in Putrajaya today.

The quota for students from low-income B40 households in boarding schools came into force this year, with the aim of helping those less fortunate gain access to good education.

Maszlee said this was the original purpose of boarding schools before they became the choice of the "elites".

"In recent years it (boarding schools) has become like elite schools, where even the children of the rich enter, and then those who are less fortunate don't get a chance.

"So if we want to help the people's economy and the low-income group, let's give their children a chance to get a good education at boarding schools.

"It's not just the B40, but the urban poor, and children of low-ranking uniformed officers," he said.

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Maszlee said the report on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) will be tabled when it's ready.

"We will inform when it is ready," he said.

Maszlee had informed the Dewan Rakyat back in October that the special committee the UEC will complete its findings this year, upon which its report is to be presented to the cabinet for a decision.

Maszlee was speaking to reporters after a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 14(1) on the first day of the school year. - Mkini