KUCHING: The decision by federal Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek to grant autonomy to Form Six college principals in conducting student recruitment has been praised by students, who see it as a wise move.
Sarah Kasih Korno, an 18-year-old student, believed that this decision reflected the government’s care for the people, particularly by providing greater access for students from the B40 groups to improve their education levels.
“This could also lead to better job opportunities and an improved standard of living in the future. Overall, it will increase the number of graduates and create a bigger employment market with diverse talents that will ultimately benefit the country.”
Nur Batrisyia Idzulkhairi, also 18, shared the same sentiment and highlighted the intense competition among students to enter universities, which often leads to discouragement and some students choosing not to pursue further studies due to financial constraints or scholarship eligibility.
With the new approach, she believed that “students will have more opportunities to continue their studies since they will be handpicked by principals, and the funding for Form Six colleges is relatively more accessible compared to other institutions.”
Agreeing with the decision, Audrey Nara Charles Reynold, 18, pointed out that giving principals autonomy in recruiting Form Six students allowed them to consider the students’ performance throughout their school studies (from Form One to Form Five).
“This ensures that deserving students, especially those from the B40 group, have a fair chance to continue their education without the fear of rejection from other education institutions.”
Sarah also commended the efforts to provide free laptops to eligible students, stating that it would relieve the financial burden on B40 families and enable them to focus on other needs.
Earlier, Fadhlina explained that this move allowed principals to make direct offers to potential students who need the opportunity to continue their studies, without having to wait for an offer from the ministry as in previous years.
“The principals can find Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers who have not been given a place for higher studies without having to wait for an offer from the ministry,” said Fadhlina.
