The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
– Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher
Today, I will broach the subject of education – more precisely, equal educational opportunities for all.
Recent concerns surrounding the allocation of matriculation spots and university seats have raised important questions about fairness, meritocracy and inclusivity in our education system.
Many parents particularly those whose children have excelled in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, have expressed frustration over their children’s inability to secure matriculation as well as university seats despite their outstanding academic performance.
Among the most common reasons given is that the quotas for the non-Bumiputeras have been exceeded.
The government’s recent decision to open matriculation seats to all top scorers regardless of race, starting from 2025, is a positive step in addressing this long-standing issue. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement three months ago that students achieving 10As and above in SPM will be guaranteed a matriculation spot represents a welcome change.
For many parents, this was the answer they had been waiting for.
However, this change brings with it an important question: what happens to the students who have already been affected? The promise of spots for future students leaves a lingering uncertainty for top scorers from the 2023 SPM cohort, many of whom are still struggling to find a place in the current system.
Parents of these students, some of whom scored straight As, are unable to afford sending their children abroad for tertiary education due to financial constraints, leaving them with limited options.
One such parent recently expressed deep concern over the fate of his child, a top student with 10As who could not secure a matriculation spot. “We couldn’t get her a matriculation seat, and we are also unable to send her abroad as I am only taking home RM4k plus,” he told me.
For many families in similar situations, the promise of future reforms brings little consolation in the present. The uncertainty surrounding these students’ futures calls for immediate intervention.
Meritocracy, the idea that academic and professional success should be based on individual ability and talent rather than other external factors, is at the heart of this debate. Anwar has acknowledged that while meritocracy is essential, it cannot exist in a vacuum without considering justice and fairness.
The reality is that students from underprivileged or marginalised backgrounds, particularly those from rural or economically disadvantaged areas, face significant obstacles that their urban counterparts do not.
As the prime minister rightly pointed out, expecting elite schools in urban areas to compete on the same level as underfunded schools in rural areas like Kapit, is neither just nor equitable.
Incorporating fairness into the system is important to ensure all students, regardless of their background, have a fighting chance to succeed. The government’s pledge to maintain the 90 per cent Bumiputera quota for matriculation spots while still offering top scorers from other ethnic groups a place is a delicate balancing act.
Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which protects the rights of Bumiputeras, remains a key component of our legal and social framework. However, as Anwar has stressed, fairness must prevail, especially when it comes to recognising and rewarding academic excellence.
In Sarawak, Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee has taken proactive steps to address this issue for the state’s top SPM scorers. Sarawak has always been a state that gives priority to education, and the offer extended to 10A achievers by University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu is an example of this commitment.
These students, who have been denied entry to matriculation or public universities, now have the opportunity to enrol in UTS’s foundation programme free of charge.
The initiative removes a significant financial burden for families, allowing students to focus solely on their education without the stress of securing funds. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also announced the state will provide free education for over 25,000 prospective students in Sarawak-owned universities by 2026.
The approach taken by UTS is pragmatic, as it not only addresses the immediate issue of rejected top scorers but also offers them a direct path to higher education without the uncertainty that often accompanies appeals processes.
Sarawak’s initiative should serve as an example for other states and institutions across the country. By providing free education, Abang Johari is investing in Sarawak’s future, ensuring that the brightest minds from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. The success of these students will ultimately benefit not just Sarawak, but Malaysia as a whole.
Despite the government’s recent pledges, there remain concerns about the implementation of these reforms. Public complaints – such as those voiced by SUPP public complaint bureau chief Milton Foo – indicate that many top scorers from the 2023 SPM are still unable to secure spots in local universities.
Foo and other community leaders have called on the government to honour its promises, stressing the need for integrity and accountability. Political leaders must ensure that their words translate into tangible actions. It is not enough to make pledges during press conferences or on the campaign trail; these promises must be fulfilled for the benefit of our youth.
As citizens, we must hold our leaders accountable to the promises they make. The future of our nation’s brightest minds should not be mired in uncertainty or bureaucracy. Every deserving student should have access to quality education, and no child should be left behind because of financial difficulties or systemic inefficiencies.
The road to educational equity and fairness is long and filled with challenges, but the recent announcements by both the federal government and state leaders in Sarawak offer hope. The guarantee of matriculation spots for top scorers starting in 2025 is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the concerns of students and families in the present.
Sarawak’s proactive approach through UTS offers us hope which other states could follow. It is time for Putrajaya to prioritise education for all, regardless of race, background, or socioeconomic status. Only by doing so can we create a system that truly rewards merit, upholds fairness and provides every child with the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our leaders must act now to ensure that education remains a right and not a privilege for the few.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
