By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 9: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has filed an emergency motion calling for a discussion in the ongoing Parliament session about the issue of school leavers denied entry to matriculation programmes.
He expressed regrets that many students who scored 10As and above were not accepted into matriculation programmes despite Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s promise that all top scorers would receive the offer.
“On June 30, 2024, the Prime Minister announced that ‘semua lepasan SPM dengan 10A ke atas akan ditawar peluang ke matrikulasi’ (all school leavers with 10As and above will be given the opportunity to enter matriculation), bringing hopes and expectations to the students who scored 10As and above.
“However, when the intakes of the matriculation programme were published a few days later, many students who scored 10As and above were not accepted into the matriculation programme, shattering their hopes.
“Disappointment swept across the nation, not only amongst those students who have scored 10As but also their parents and many of those who have trusted the words of the Prime Minister.
“His words are still ringing in everyone’s ears about the promise to the 10As students and yet, reality has turned out otherwise,” said Chong in his motion, as detailed in a statement today.
Though the Education Ministry has subsequently reassured that the Prime Minister’s promise would be carried out, he said such verbal assurance was not translated into actions.
Chong thus viewed it as incumbent upon Parliament to discuss this urgent specific matter which concerns the general public to quickly seek a resolution to the problem and accord the top students their rightful places in the matriculation programmes.
“As I have submitted the motion before 10am this morning, the Speaker will consider the matter tomorrow,” he added. — DayakDaily
