KUCHING: Principals of Form Six Colleges have immediately been given discretionary authority by the Education Ministry (MOE) to manage the student recruiting process.
Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that by making this change, principals would be able to make direct offers to prospective students who need the chance to continue their studies without having to wait for a government offer as in past years.
“The recent decision by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to grant autonomy to school and Form Six college principals in conducting the student admission process has sparked a debate on the best approach to ensure a fair and transparent system. While this move has been seen as a step towards streamlining the process and empowering school principals, I firmly disagree with the decision. In my opinion, student admissions should be conducted by the MOE rather than individual school principals to ensure transparency and unbiased decision-making,” said Owen Voon Boo Khoon, Chief Executive Office of FAME International College commenting on this matter.
“Autonomy for principals may seem appealing, but it carries the risk of introducing inconsistencies and potential biases in the admission process. When admissions are conducted by the MOE, a standardized approach can be applied, ensuring that all students are evaluated based on the same criteria and receive equal opportunities, ”he added.
He stressed that this centralized system would reduce the likelihood of favouritism or prejudice, safeguarding the principles of fairness and equal access to education.
“To strike a balance between autonomy and uniformity, it is essential for the MOE to establish clear guidelines and criteria for student admissions. These guidelines must outline transparent assessment methods, academic requirements, and criteria for identifying students with potential for success in Form Six.
By providing specific and detailed guidelines, the MOE can ensure that school principals have a structured framework to follow while evaluating prospective students.
Moreover, the MOE should actively monitor the admission process to ensure compliance with the established guidelines. Regular audits and oversight can help identify any discrepancies or potential irregularities, promoting accountability among school principals and instilling trust in the public and education stakeholders.
In a significant move aimed at empowering educational institutions and improving the overall quality of education, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has granted autonomy to school and Form Six college principals to conduct the student admission process. This decision allows principals to have greater control over their institutions’ admissions, sparking both praise and concern among education stakeholders.
While the move to grant autonomy to school and Form Six college principals is a significant step towards empowering educational institutions, it is crucial for the Ministry of Education to implement effective mechanisms to address potential pitfalls. Striking a balance between autonomy and accountability remains paramount to ensure a fair, equitable, and quality-focused admission process that benefits all students across the nation.
“The decision of MoE to allow Sixth Form principals to conduct the student admission process is a timely move. This will allow the school or college to assess and decide on who is to be admitted into their institutions. It is suggested that a Selection Committee be formed within the institution to practice good governance in carrying out the process. The criteria should not be limited to academic achievements only but must also include other activities that the applicant has participated and may even have excelled in. On completion of the sixth form studies, they will continue into the tertiary level studies. Our nation need the younger generation to be well-developed to contribute to the success of Malaysia,” said Dunstan Ang Swee Choon, Lecturer at FAME International College to the reporter.
“Supposedly it should be managed and selected by the school management. This is because the school know better about the ability and potential of their students. Selection must be done based on trial and actual results which recorded by the school itself and considerations to those are not selected but interested to further their studies in Form 6 can be done as well,” said Nur Hazwani Salim, 33, Lecturer of PERHEBAT Business School.
