From next year, students sitting for the SPM examinations will only be allowed to sit for a maximum of 10 subjects.
The grading system for the examination will also be improved to better reflect the academic achievements of the students.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry decided to do away with the open certificate system, which allows students to sit for as many subjects, as the majority only took 10 subjects or fewer.
“Records show that some 90% of students sitting for the SPM exam take 10 or fewer subjects,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters yesterday after laying the foundation stone for the new RM1.3bil Education Com-plex at Bandar Enstek near here.
“We want to streamline this as it will also be an easier way to determine the awarding of scholarships.”
Some 450,000 students sat for the SPM exam last year.
Muhyiddin said teachers would also be able to focus better if students were only allowed to take up to 10 subjects because they would not be burdened with teaching other subjects.
“Parents also will not have to rush their children for too many tuition classes.”
On the grading system, Muhyid-din said instead of giving students 1A, B or C, their grades would include A+, A and A- from next year to make it more effective in deciding who was most qualified for a scholarship.
The Star
May 29, 2009
May 25, 2009
MCA to help students get funding
The MCA will continue to help students facing difficulty in getting matriculation scholarships, says president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
He said more non-bumiputras were applying for matriculation now although there was only a 10% allocation for them.
Ong added that the Public Service Department scholarship issue was not racial.
“It is rather the transparency and the criteria that many people are concerned about,” Ong said.
Citing an example, he said two Chinese students from the same class with almost similar background and curricular activities applied for a PSD scholarship but the student who did better did not get the scholarship.
“To classify it as a racial issue is not accurate. It is the criteria used in the selection process and it is not a racial quota,” he told reporters after chairing the party central committee meeting yesterday.
He said the MCA had received more than 1,000 appeal cases for scholarships and he had instructed the education bureau to follow up on the matter.
The Star
He said more non-bumiputras were applying for matriculation now although there was only a 10% allocation for them.
Ong added that the Public Service Department scholarship issue was not racial.
“It is rather the transparency and the criteria that many people are concerned about,” Ong said.
Citing an example, he said two Chinese students from the same class with almost similar background and curricular activities applied for a PSD scholarship but the student who did better did not get the scholarship.
“To classify it as a racial issue is not accurate. It is the criteria used in the selection process and it is not a racial quota,” he told reporters after chairing the party central committee meeting yesterday.
He said the MCA had received more than 1,000 appeal cases for scholarships and he had instructed the education bureau to follow up on the matter.
The Star
May 18, 2009
Cabinet to hear cases of 800 top scorers who didn’t get scholarships
More than 800 straight-A students will have their appeals for Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships taken up to the Cabinet for discussion.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the group, comprising 280 who scored straight 1As, had submitted their appeals to the MCA.
Recurrent problem: Dr Wee talking to students who failed to get PSD scholarships in Kuala Lumpur in a May 16, 2006, file photo.
“I have just briefed the party president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) on the matter and the four MCA ministers will bring it to the Cabinet,” he said here yesterday.
Dr Wee said the situation this year had shocked even him – although the MCA Youth chief and party national education bureau chairman had been handling education and scholarship issues since 2001.
He cited the case of a student with 6A1 and 4A2 who obtained a scholarship to study engineering. On the other hand, there were complaints from students with 13A1s and 14A1s that they were given places to do matriculation instead of being awarded with scholarships.
He stressed that such alternatives should be made known earlier, not just dished out to the students.
Dr Wee added there must also be a transparent system of awarding scholarships.
Asked whether publishing the names of the scholarship recipients could help address the question of fairness and transparency in selection, Dr Wee said he hoped this would be done by the PSD not too long from now.
The Cabinet had in January refined the distribution of scholarship: 20% solely on merit, 10% for the underprivileged, 10% for those from Sabah and Sarawak and the remaining based on ethnic quota, co-curriculum, results and socio-economic background.
Meanwhile students, parents and teachers who contacted The Star said they were shocked by the “consolation prize” (getting a place to do matriculation instead of a scholarship to study overseas) given to many of those with 13A1s and 14A1s.
They also raised a host of other problems, including that the scholarship recipients were not told which country they would be sent to study.
Meanwhile, the DAP wants the Government to show the selection criteria for the PSD scholarships and explain why there was a shift in implementation.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had reiterated in Parliament that 55% of the scholarships would be given to bumiputras while the rest was reserved for non-Malays.
“All of a sudden, they just changed the selection criteria. We want to know how many percent of the scholarships are given to bumiputras and non-bumiputras,” the Ipoh Timur MP told a press conference here yesterday.
Lim, three other DAP MPs and three state assemblymen had met with PSD director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Adam to discuss the matter.
The Star
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the group, comprising 280 who scored straight 1As, had submitted their appeals to the MCA.
Recurrent problem: Dr Wee talking to students who failed to get PSD scholarships in Kuala Lumpur in a May 16, 2006, file photo.
“I have just briefed the party president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) on the matter and the four MCA ministers will bring it to the Cabinet,” he said here yesterday.
Dr Wee said the situation this year had shocked even him – although the MCA Youth chief and party national education bureau chairman had been handling education and scholarship issues since 2001.
He cited the case of a student with 6A1 and 4A2 who obtained a scholarship to study engineering. On the other hand, there were complaints from students with 13A1s and 14A1s that they were given places to do matriculation instead of being awarded with scholarships.
He stressed that such alternatives should be made known earlier, not just dished out to the students.
Dr Wee added there must also be a transparent system of awarding scholarships.
Asked whether publishing the names of the scholarship recipients could help address the question of fairness and transparency in selection, Dr Wee said he hoped this would be done by the PSD not too long from now.
The Cabinet had in January refined the distribution of scholarship: 20% solely on merit, 10% for the underprivileged, 10% for those from Sabah and Sarawak and the remaining based on ethnic quota, co-curriculum, results and socio-economic background.
Meanwhile students, parents and teachers who contacted The Star said they were shocked by the “consolation prize” (getting a place to do matriculation instead of a scholarship to study overseas) given to many of those with 13A1s and 14A1s.
They also raised a host of other problems, including that the scholarship recipients were not told which country they would be sent to study.
Meanwhile, the DAP wants the Government to show the selection criteria for the PSD scholarships and explain why there was a shift in implementation.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had reiterated in Parliament that 55% of the scholarships would be given to bumiputras while the rest was reserved for non-Malays.
“All of a sudden, they just changed the selection criteria. We want to know how many percent of the scholarships are given to bumiputras and non-bumiputras,” the Ipoh Timur MP told a press conference here yesterday.
Lim, three other DAP MPs and three state assemblymen had met with PSD director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Adam to discuss the matter.
The Star
May 11, 2009
More avenues for varsity students to boost talents
Varsity students will have more avenues to showcase their creativity and innovations.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was necessary to bring out the best in students and the ministry would do its utmost to help.
“More technology-oriented competitions will be held in the near future to ensure graduates are highly motivated and innovative,” he said at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Robocon 2009 finals at Stadium Malawati.
“We will hold the Imagine Cup with Microsoft soon and students will have to use technology to tackle some of the world’s challenges.
“We will also hold a green energy competition with Shell.
“Innovation is the key to Malaysia moving away from a resource-based extraction economy,” Khaled said, adding that the ministry had conducted a study on human capital development last year.
The study, costing RM350,000, was done in collaboration with the Malaysian Invention and Design Society, Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Malaysian Design Council.
“We will create a blueprint based on the results and targets, and key performance indicators will be set up after that,” he added.
On Robocon 2009, Khaled said that the contest was more than just a yardstick of innovation as fair play and competition were promoted amongst the 64 participating teams from various public and private universities.
Held annually since 2002, the eighth edition of Robocon saw Roboforce 1 of Multimedia Univer-sity (MMU) Melaka defending its title.
They received a RM10,000 cheque, an ABU special award worth US$1,000 (RM3,515) and will represent Malaysia at the global finals in Tokyo, Japan.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was necessary to bring out the best in students and the ministry would do its utmost to help.
“More technology-oriented competitions will be held in the near future to ensure graduates are highly motivated and innovative,” he said at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Robocon 2009 finals at Stadium Malawati.
“We will hold the Imagine Cup with Microsoft soon and students will have to use technology to tackle some of the world’s challenges.
“We will also hold a green energy competition with Shell.
“Innovation is the key to Malaysia moving away from a resource-based extraction economy,” Khaled said, adding that the ministry had conducted a study on human capital development last year.
The study, costing RM350,000, was done in collaboration with the Malaysian Invention and Design Society, Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Malaysian Design Council.
“We will create a blueprint based on the results and targets, and key performance indicators will be set up after that,” he added.
On Robocon 2009, Khaled said that the contest was more than just a yardstick of innovation as fair play and competition were promoted amongst the 64 participating teams from various public and private universities.
Held annually since 2002, the eighth edition of Robocon saw Roboforce 1 of Multimedia Univer-sity (MMU) Melaka defending its title.
They received a RM10,000 cheque, an ABU special award worth US$1,000 (RM3,515) and will represent Malaysia at the global finals in Tokyo, Japan.
Review of education curriculum
Sports must once again be given serious emphasis in schools so as to produce well-rounded students.
Pointing out that education should be fun and interesting, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, proposed a review of the education curriculum to place more importance on sports.
“When I was in school, sports was a very important co-curricular activity. We would go back to school to train and our teachers would guide and motivate us,” he said.
“Sports Day in schools was something the whole town would get involved in. It was such a big event with our parents showing up to lend their support.” Muhyiddin said that the present situation was nothing like that.
“I have a son who is in Victoria Institution, and I did not even know when his Sports Day was. I did not even see him go for training,” he said.
Congratulations: Muhyiddin (right) presenting the trophy to winner Jamalluden Abdul Rosli at the Mines Golf and Country Club yesterday.
“I think we are missing something that is very important in life. Sports is not only for health but also provides a form of bonding,” he said, adding that children now bonded with the use of a computer.
Muhyiddin said as the new Education Minister, he wanted to “bring back sports to schools.”
“In the United Kingdom, it is compulsory to take up two sports, even in universities,” he said in his speech at the prize-giving ceremony of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Patron’s Cup here.
However, Muhyiddin added that it would not be easy to revamp the system. “For one, not all schools have fields now and there are also not enough sports teachers.”
Pointing out that education should be fun and interesting, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, proposed a review of the education curriculum to place more importance on sports.
“When I was in school, sports was a very important co-curricular activity. We would go back to school to train and our teachers would guide and motivate us,” he said.
“Sports Day in schools was something the whole town would get involved in. It was such a big event with our parents showing up to lend their support.” Muhyiddin said that the present situation was nothing like that.
“I have a son who is in Victoria Institution, and I did not even know when his Sports Day was. I did not even see him go for training,” he said.
Congratulations: Muhyiddin (right) presenting the trophy to winner Jamalluden Abdul Rosli at the Mines Golf and Country Club yesterday.
“I think we are missing something that is very important in life. Sports is not only for health but also provides a form of bonding,” he said, adding that children now bonded with the use of a computer.
Muhyiddin said as the new Education Minister, he wanted to “bring back sports to schools.”
“In the United Kingdom, it is compulsory to take up two sports, even in universities,” he said in his speech at the prize-giving ceremony of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Patron’s Cup here.
However, Muhyiddin added that it would not be easy to revamp the system. “For one, not all schools have fields now and there are also not enough sports teachers.”
May 05, 2009
Groups give ministry time to review English policy
Many educationist groups have welcomed the Education Ministry’s willingness to continue to listen to various views before making a decision on the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English.
Linguist and former Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies director Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim was happy that Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I hope he will listen to all views before a decision is made by the Cabinet,” she said.
Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said he was willing to listen to more views and accept memoranda on the issue before bringing the matter to the Cabinet for a decision.
Dr Nik Safiah said due recognition should be given to Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language, adding that there were other ways of improving the standard of English such as by increasing the number of periods in school.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abd Rahim said the ministry should only assess the policy after the pioneer batch sat for the SPM examination in 2013.
Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP – Movement for the Abolition of Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in English) chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad said GMP’s stand was clear.
“We want the Government to revert to the original policy before 2003 as it was successful,” he said.
National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, who is a member of the GMP, said the authorities had contravened the Constitution by switching the language of instruction from Bahasa Malaysia to English.
“Our members, who include Malay scholars and educators, are not against the English Language. But it is wrong to implement a policy in a hurry with no regard to the negative consequences.
“Language is a reflection of our identity. Our country will lose that identity when this policy is implemented,” he said yesterday.
Linguist and former Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies director Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim was happy that Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I hope he will listen to all views before a decision is made by the Cabinet,” she said.
Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said he was willing to listen to more views and accept memoranda on the issue before bringing the matter to the Cabinet for a decision.
Dr Nik Safiah said due recognition should be given to Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language, adding that there were other ways of improving the standard of English such as by increasing the number of periods in school.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abd Rahim said the ministry should only assess the policy after the pioneer batch sat for the SPM examination in 2013.
Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP – Movement for the Abolition of Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in English) chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad said GMP’s stand was clear.
“We want the Government to revert to the original policy before 2003 as it was successful,” he said.
National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, who is a member of the GMP, said the authorities had contravened the Constitution by switching the language of instruction from Bahasa Malaysia to English.
“Our members, who include Malay scholars and educators, are not against the English Language. But it is wrong to implement a policy in a hurry with no regard to the negative consequences.
“Language is a reflection of our identity. Our country will lose that identity when this policy is implemented,” he said yesterday.
Rope in experts to assess education system
Local and foreign experts will be asked to assess the country’s education system.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was to ensure the education system was effective and to identify any weaknesses.
“Quality is the key word here as we can’t compromise on our children’s future,” he told reporters after delivering his first message at the ministry’s monthly gathering.
Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the assessment would be headed by an individual within the ministry.
“But I would want to find some experts in education from within the country and outside to assess how good our system is or how can we make it better,” he said.
Muhyiddin said time management and decision-making were very important.
“If we can correct any problems, we must do so. Otherwise, those who lose out will be all of us,” he said.
On the 1Malaysia concept in education, Muhyiddin said it was already in the existing syllabus.
“What we want is to give a new understanding for education to integrate people of different races, cultures and religions. Schools are the best platforms to promote integration among students.”
Asked about his deputy Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong’s statement on reviewing history books, Muhyiddin said he was open to ideas.
“People can make propositions. I am always open to ideas and we will see whether the propositions are reasonable and (if) there is a need to make changes to books, it must be based on certain principles of correctness.
“People cannot re-write or re-invent history. What is past and has been recognised as part of history of this country should be recognised and of course hopefully written in a manner that is correct,” he said.
Asked about Dr Wee wanting all races’ contributions to be noted, Muhyiddin said no one stated there were no contributions to history or development of this country.
“We do recognise contributions of various races in the development of Malaysia from before, during and after independence but what is important in history is to recognise whatever the races have done.
“Malays fought for independence first, joined in by leaders of other races,” he said.
It was reported last month that Dr Wee had said a review was timely to correct the “selective representation of facts” in history textbooks.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was to ensure the education system was effective and to identify any weaknesses.
“Quality is the key word here as we can’t compromise on our children’s future,” he told reporters after delivering his first message at the ministry’s monthly gathering.
Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the assessment would be headed by an individual within the ministry.
“But I would want to find some experts in education from within the country and outside to assess how good our system is or how can we make it better,” he said.
Muhyiddin said time management and decision-making were very important.
“If we can correct any problems, we must do so. Otherwise, those who lose out will be all of us,” he said.
On the 1Malaysia concept in education, Muhyiddin said it was already in the existing syllabus.
“What we want is to give a new understanding for education to integrate people of different races, cultures and religions. Schools are the best platforms to promote integration among students.”
Asked about his deputy Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong’s statement on reviewing history books, Muhyiddin said he was open to ideas.
“People can make propositions. I am always open to ideas and we will see whether the propositions are reasonable and (if) there is a need to make changes to books, it must be based on certain principles of correctness.
“People cannot re-write or re-invent history. What is past and has been recognised as part of history of this country should be recognised and of course hopefully written in a manner that is correct,” he said.
Asked about Dr Wee wanting all races’ contributions to be noted, Muhyiddin said no one stated there were no contributions to history or development of this country.
“We do recognise contributions of various races in the development of Malaysia from before, during and after independence but what is important in history is to recognise whatever the races have done.
“Malays fought for independence first, joined in by leaders of other races,” he said.
It was reported last month that Dr Wee had said a review was timely to correct the “selective representation of facts” in history textbooks.
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