Stranded on campus, matriculation student questions the 'double standard'

 

According to a student, matriculation colleges have not allowed their students to travel home on the weekends for almost two months now.

Implemented in early August as a Covid-19 preventative measure, the student’s college allows parents to visit, but they can only see their children at the college gate.

These rules do not appear to apply to students at polytechnics and universities. These two higher-learning institutions are governed by the Higher Education Ministry, while matriculation colleges come under the Education Ministry’s purview.

Yesterday, The Star quoted an official who confirmed that the Education Ministry, Health Ministry and National Security Council were reviewing the bar on allowing matriculation students out of colleges on weekends.

Their final decision is expected to be announced later today.

The student, who only wanted to be identified as M, told Malaysiakini that he usually returned to his home in Selangor twice a month.

“We have not been allowed to go home since early August…

“Parents can come to see their children, but only at the gate. They are not allowed to enter the college premises,” he said when contacted.

While he understood the rationale behind the ruling, M questioned why his peers taking diplomas at polytechnics and foundation courses at universities were not subject to the same restrictions.

“I see this as being unfair.

“Because we are around the same age, but only the programme (we are taking) is different.

“I am disappointed, but what can I do? We can only follow the rules from the top,” he said.

The Star previously reported that some matriculation students were facing mental health issues after being confined to the campus grounds for an extended period of time.

According to the Education Ministry website, all 17 matriculation colleges are slated to break for the semester from Oct 12 to Oct 18. - Mkini