KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry (MoE) will collaborate with the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) to ensure outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students with 10As and above are provided places irrespective of race and background.
In a statement, the Education Ministry said both ministries will work to review applications from outstanding students who applied for matriculation programmes or programmes through UPUOnline managed by the Public Institutions of Higher Learning Student Admissions Division.
The effort aims to realign placements based on students' program preferences.
The ministry said this was in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call to provide opportunities to these high-achieving students, irrespective of their ethnicity or backgrounds.
Yesterday, Anwar said all students who obtained 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam will be guaranteed a place in any matriculation programme regardless of race or locality.
"Placement offers and course selections will be contingent on candidates' qualifications and availability within the Education Ministry's Matriculation Program, while MOHE focuses on admissions to foundation and diploma programs at public universities," the statement said.
The ministry said the decision will ensure that outstanding SPM students from B40 families have equitable access to higher education.
At the same time, the existing Bumiputera quota system for the Matriculation Program will remain unchanged.
"The Madani government remains committed to broadening educational access for the benefit of all students, recognising them as crucial to the nation's future," the ministry said.
