THE wait is over for top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) scorers hoping to enter the matriculation programme.
A total of 1,193 students who scored 10As in the 2023 exams had received text messages from the Education Ministry to inform them that they have been accepted into the programme, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh (pic) said.
“After Cabinet made the decision (that all SPM students who scored 10As and above would get a place in the matriculation programme) on June 28, these outstanding students were given the opportunity to be admitted to the pre-university programme.
“The 1,193 students who have been admitted can choose to enroll in this pre-university programme or pursue other pathways to further their education,” he said in a Facebook post on Aug 8.
He said when the first round of the 2024/25 matriculation admissions for 3,000 non-Bumiputera spots was announced on June 20, students with 10As took up 1,188 spots while the remaining 1,812 were for students with fewer than 10As.
“At that time, 1,193 students with 10As did not receive an offer,” he added.
Subsequently on July 11, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek told Parliament that SPM 2023 candidates who scored 10As but did not receive an offer to join matriculation would receive their acceptance letters before the third week of August.
Students with straight As, even if it is less than 10, and exceptional but not perfect SPM results, would also be considered to join the matriculation programmes regardless of race.
Wong said during the second round of admissions on July 5, 400 students with 10As received their offers, while on July 16, during the third round, 362 students with 10As were accepted.
He added that on July 25, the fourth round saw 200 students with 10As being accepted.
“The process has not been easy. Many initially had doubts about the Cabinet’s decision and about the Education Ministry.
“This brave decision by the Cabinet shows (that we have achieved) significant progress. Congratulations to all the students!” said Wong. - By REBECCA RAJAENDRAM
