JOHOR BAHRU, June 22 — The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) today denied allegations that its stringent condition on loans and scholarships is the factor post-Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students choose not to further their education to the tertiary level.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this is because the ministry has introduced various initiatives, like the Malaysia Family Eldest Student Development programme (Sulung) which assists the first student representative from B40 families with full tuition fee waivers at all public universities.
He said loan facilities under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) were only based on the income of the parents.
"The reason why SPM leavers did not go to IPT is probably because they did not pass and not due to strict scholarship or loan conditions.
"...or they apply or choose a subject that does not suit their qualifications, students need to enter the IPT first and then see if they can get a loan or not," Mohamed Khaled said at a press conference after his working visit to the Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic, earlier today.
He was responding to queries asking him to comment on a student association's claim that the strict conditions imposed on scholarship or loan applications were a factor which caused many SPM leavers to choose not to continue their studies at IPTs.
Universiti Malaya Student Union president Nur Nazirah Abdullah was reported as saying that the main factor for SPM leavers not wanting to continue their studies is the lack of financial resources and recommended the government implements more financial aid initiatives, or create a plan that provides financial security to students.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the admission of Rohingya refugee students at IPT, Mohamed Khalid reiterated the admission is only for those who are qualified and able to pay for their studies.
He said Malaysia is a country that has many international students who continue their studies, and the ethnic refugees are no exception.
— Bernama
