Boarding schools lowering entry requirements

PUTRAJAYA: For next year’s intake into fully residential schools (SBPs), the minimum entry requirements are 3As and 3Bs at the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) level.

The change was made following the announcement of this year’s UPSR results, where only 4,896 achieved straight As under the examination’s new format this year, compared with last year’s 38,344.

Previously, only those with straight As were accepted into SBPs.

Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said the change was made in accordance with the UPSR’s new format.

He said some 60,000 online applications have been received.

“There are 69 SBPs in the country, offering 9,000 seats to prospective students,” he said yesterday.

Khair said the intake requirements, however, took into consideration a student’s achievement in his Psychometric Assessment (PPsi), and Physical Sports and Co-curricular Activity Assessment (PAJSK).

When asked if the ministry would encourage the more than 9,500 UPSR students who obtained all Es to repeat Year Six to improve themselves before entering Form One, Khair said it was not necessary as they would also be evaluated on spiritual and emotional aspects when they enter secondary schools.

“Intervention and improvement will done at secondary schools by teachers based on the students’ profiles. Secondary schools could draw up programmes for these students to improve themselves,” he said.

Khair was met at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Microsoft Malaysia and the ministry to encourage the use of information and communications technology in teaching and learning. Also present was Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Meanwhile, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) said it would review the entry requirements to its Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) next year.

It said for next year’s intake, there were 7,500 seats available at 48 MRSM colleges. The minimum entry requirement for MRSM was previously straight As. Following this year’s UPSR results, Mara said it would review this.