PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — The current pre-university management system for Form Six students will remain under the Ministry of Education (MOE) for the time being to ensure the smooth operation of the existing framework, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the decision was made after taking into account several factors, including student management and teacher service schemes.
"For now, I have decided that the Form Six pre-university system will remain under the MOE," he said during a meeting with MOE staff today.
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Previously, Anwar had announced that the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) would fully take over the country's pre-university system, covering both Form Six and matriculation programmes, beginning next year.
One school, two identities
Elaborating further, the prime minister said that although Sixth Form remains under MOE, its students must have a distinct identity as post-secondary and pre-university learners.
"Even if they are within the same school, the Sixth Form should have its separate block, and the principal should be tasked with managing it as a distinct project.
"They should not be lumped together. For example, Sixth Form students should not be included in general school assemblies. Assemblies should be for Form Five and below," he said.
He said that this approach is important to create a learning environment that reflects the true status of Sixth Form students as a pathway to higher education.
Anwar added that the government does not rule out reviewing the proposal to place Sixth Form under MOHE in the future, once the system and its implementation are better prepared.
"We can revisit this after several years, if it is deemed necessary, particularly when students can attend dedicated Sixth Form colleges elsewhere," he said.
