Govt mulls cost of living allowances for STPM students

 

PARLIAMENT | The Education Ministry is considering providing cost-of-living allowances for Form Six students to attract more students to the programme.

In today’s Dewan Rakyat session, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the suggestion is in the initial stage.

Other initiatives include allowances for Form Six senior assistant teachers and higher per capita grant assistance for STPM subjects.

“These initiatives aim to attract students to take STPM and also to boost the motivation of Form 6 teachers.

“The suggestion is still in its initial stage, as it was proposed under the Form Six Education Roadmap 2024-2030 plan, which was launched in May,” Wong (above) said.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek revealed in July last year that the ministry plans to rebrand Form Six so that STPM will remain an option for students to pursue their studies.

Elaborating on the plan, Wong said his ministry will also focus on facilities such as Form Six centres and enhancing the STPM syllabus.

Under the plan, the ministry listed seven objectives:

1. Making Form Six the primary pathway and choice for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates to further their studies.

2. Enhancing the Form Six education system to make it more appealing and on par with other pre-university education systems.

3. Increasing the marketability of STPM graduates both domestically and internationally.

4. Providing more career opportunities and prospects for STPM graduates.

5. Fostering leadership qualities in Form Six students.

6. Developing the professionalism of Form Six teachers.

7. Improving the infrastructure at Form Six centres.

“The ministry is always committed to empowering and elevating Form Six education continuously by considering all aspects so that this path remains one of the main choices for SPM graduates to further their studies to a higher level,” he said. - Mkini