Cause for concern: Parents say many children do not get a chance to attend science secondary schools in spite of being top scorers. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
KLANG: Unlike some professional and elitist parents who send their children to government-aided science secondary schools, lawyer Asiah Abd Jalil sent hers to regular government schools.
“The science secondary schools are meant for rural and poor students as it is an opportunity for them to improve their lives,’’ said Asiah.
As such, she agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to stop the subsidies enjoyed by children from rich families attending these schools.
Asiah reckoned these schools currently have many children whose parents can afford to fully pay for their education, enjoying the benefits meant for underprivileged children.
“It is because of this that I never applied to get my children into any of the science secondary schools.
“They attended regular secondary schools and we are paying for their tertiary education now,” said Asiah, who has 10 children, three of whom are in university and three more in secondary school.
Mother-of-three Siti Fauziah Abdul Jaabar said that in addition to withdrawing subsidies currently enjoyed by rich kids, the authorities must also review the student intake.
“There are many children from humble backgrounds who are highly intelligent but cannot get into these premier science schools.
“The government must also relook this as elite parents can pay to send their children to study elsewhere while people from humble backgrounds do not have the same privilege,’’ said Siti Fauziah, who works as a trader.
She said many brilliant children from middle-class or poor families ended up living mediocre lives because they were not able to get proper educational opportunities.
Businessman D. Siva welcomed Anwar’s plan for Budget 2025 and said it is timely to secure upward social mobility for M40 and B40 children through education at these top-notch science schools.
Agreeing with Siti Fauziah, Siva said many children do not get a chance to attend science secondary schools in spite of being top scorers.
“Attending these schools will give students from humble backgrounds a leg up in life,” said Siva.
