Over 17,000 dropped out of govt varsities last year, says minister

 

The higher education ministry provides scholarships and financial aid to target groups, including those in the B40 category, says Noraini Ahmad. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Higher education minister Noraini Ahmad said a total of 17,613 public university students dropped out last year while 5,165 students had suspended their studies without providing any specific reason.

As for students in private universities, she said 20,577 of them had postponed their studies.

“Among the factors that contributed to students postponing their studies were personal or family health problems, financial problems and to get a job,” she said in reply to Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Amanah MP had asked whether the ministry had data on the number of public or private university students dropping out or postponing their studies due to their family’s socioeconomic status or their mental health.

Noraini also said the ministry had taken steps to help students who were having problems with the implementation of home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

“Among them is by giving universities flexibility in determining the PdPR methods as well as on assessment and evaluation.

“In addition, the ministry also provides scholarships and financial assistance to target groups, including those in the B40 category,” she said.

Noraini added that the ministry, through counselling and guidance units in public universities, also provided counselling services and psychosocial support to students who were under emotional or mental stress.

“There are nearly 150 counsellors and psychologists ready to help students in need with these services, which are held physically at campuses, online (e-counselling), and also through hotlines (tele-counselling),” she said. - FMT