I shake my head in despair the manner in which our minister solves problems. I am truly doubtful if he can undertake any serious reform of improvement to our education system other than mere talk and shoot from the hip policies. If we wait any longer another two generations of our future generations will be screwed (if not already).
Better buck-up and look ahead to the future - for ALL Malaysian.
Government ponders limit on number of SPM subjects
Source: NST.COM.MY
By Hamidah Atan
2009/05/22
PUTRAJAYA: The number of subjects each student can take in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination may be limited to put an end to issues pertaining to the awarding of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, said yesterday the ministry felt strongly that the number of subjects should be streamlined to resolve the perennial problem.
He said the cabinet had discussed the matter twice and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would chair a special meeting to discuss related issues next week.
Barisan Nasional component party leaders are expected to attend the meeting.
"The meeting will deliberate further ideas and proposals with regard to fairer and equitable distribution of scholarships," said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman and Umno deputy president.
He was speaking after meeting Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin and committee members of the movement at his office.
There have been allegations of unfair distribution of scholarships by the PSD.
"One of the most common questions is why some who scored, say 14 As, were given the scholarships but some who got 19 As were not. The view is that the ministry should streamline the number of subjects.
"Why should you take up to 20 subjects? Some of the subjects are not even taught in schools but they learned them in tuition centres. I have nothing against these people but it has created other issues in terms of consistency."
He said students in boarding schools were told to take certain subjects but those outside could sit for as many subjects as they liked.
The problem arose when people started comparing the results of these students, he said.
"There are other considerations as well. One of the things my ministry is looking into is whether there is a need to limit the number of subjects so that everyone, whether they are in boarding or normal schools, can take the same number of subjects, like what we did before. We did not go for the number of As."
Muhyiddin said the PSD had a strong basis for awarding scholarships.
"It has to take into account socially-disadvantaged students in remote areas as well as those in premier schools.
"If you don't take into consideration those socially-disadvantaged students, they will not get the scholarships. But if you start comparing, this will create dissatisfaction.
"We acknowledge the grouses and we will discuss this in the meeting."
He said a study would also be carried out.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently criticised the PSD on the issue.
Dr Wee, who is also the deputy education minister, said MCA Youth had requested MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and three other MCA ministers to refer the matter to the cabinet.
This was to ascertain the procedure and criteria for awarding scholarships to students to study overseas, he had said.
Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau had said his party was willing to offer help to students who were rejected by the PSD.
He said the PSD should consider reviewing the applications of students who were turned down to give them a chance to pursue their studies overseas. If they were rejected, he said, an explanation should be given to them.
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