Putrajaya's decision to increase the matriculation programme's intake does not make the system fairer, said Gerakan president Dominic Lau.
Instead of the 90:10 quota system, Lau said the programme should use a merit-based system while limiting the quota to students from lower-income families only.
"The federal government could also consider adopting a single examination with STPM the only test for entry into a public university.
"People want to see systemic changes which treat all students fairly and equally in terms of enrolment in the matriculation programme.
"A bigger intake, but with the quota remaining in place, is not a solution that Pakatan Harapan should be proud of," said Lau in a statement today.
He said the current policy on the matriculation programme was both "outdated" and "regressive".
The Education Ministry had recently announced that the intake for the matriculation programme would increase by 60 percent to 40,000, while the 90:10 quota would remain.
Education Minister Maszlee Malik said although the quota remained, more non-bumiputera will be able to join the programme.
Although Harapan had never promised to review the matriculation programme, observers have noted that this move was related to the coalition's promises to help the Indian community gain more university placements.
The matriculation programme is a special science-based pre-university course that is recognised as a pathway to public universities.
Critics have argued that it is a far easier route to a public university compared to the STPM - an internationally-recognised A-levels equivalent.
For instance, prominent academic Lee Hwok Aun alleged the matriculation programme "under-equips students academically" and "did not cultivate academic rigour and confidence".
DAP's varsity affairs bureau, meanwhile, had argued that increasing the programme's intake will make it harder for STPM holders to gain university placement, although the STPM was a more superior certificate. - Mkini
Suits you, gerakan!
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