Increase in student intake must be in tandem with better infrastructure, facilities
KUCHING: The federal cabinet’s decision to increase the intake of students for matriculation programme is meaningless if the current learning infrastructure and facilities are not improved.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) deputy vice chancellor Professor Datu Dr Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman said the government must give special attention to ensure basic facilities such as laboratories and other supporting needs are sufficiently met.
He pointed out that operational needs to accommodate the bigger number of matriculation students should not be taken lightly.
“There should be proper planning and provision of sufficient infrastructure and facilities. This includes providing enough trained teachers, and not just recruiting teachers to fill up the quota and numbers.
“If this is not taken seriously, all the efforts would only worsen the situation and the students would lose their motivation to pursue their studies.
“Therefore, the government must be ready to make big investment to ensure the objective is achieved. Quality matters more,” he said yesterday.
He was commenting on news reports that the federal cabinet has increased the number of students entering the matriculation programme to 40,000 from 25,000 though the 90 per cent quota for Bumiputera remains.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik was quoted as saying that the move was to ensure performing students from all races are given the chance to further their education to a higher level, and encourage Bumiputera involvement in science.
According to Mohd Fadzil, the move by the cabinet can be seen as a step to ensure more students go for science and technology related courses to increase the country’s skilled workforce.
“The students are exposed to science, technology and innovation through activities, projects and schools in their schools until they sit for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
“Therefore, increasing the intake would ensure these students continue to pursue and improve their command in science and technology as they enter matriculation,” he added.