50,000 Tahfiz, Private Pondok Students To Have Opportunity To Enter IPTA

SUNGAI PETANI, May 16 (Bernama) -- About 50,000 students from private tahfiz and pondok institutions will benefit from opportunities to further their studies at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) in selected programmes.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said this followed the cabinet’s recent decision regarding entry pathways for students graduating outside the national education system, including those from tahfiz schools or institutions, private schools and Chinese Independent High Schools (SMPC)/Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

According to him, although some tahfiz students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations had already continued their studies at IPTA, the latest decision marked the most significant expansion for students from the religious stream.

“For private pondok graduates, there are about 50,000 individuals, while graduates from Chinese Independent High Schools (SMPC)/Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) number fewer than 9,000.

“So the most significant addition is for students from the religious stream, where these 50,000 individuals will be given the opportunity to further their studies at public universities,” he told reporters after attending the Temu Siswa (Tesis) Northern Zone Programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA Kedah near here today.

Adam Adli said the ministry hoped the cabinet’s decision would not be politicised and stressed that the government was always open to views from various parties on the matter.

“Give this situation some time to cool down and ensure that when we comment on this matter, we take into account the views of various parties and do not dismiss concerns or deny objections, while opening up broader discussions.

“We hope this situation can be managed well so that it can lead to positive impacts as hoped for,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said many issues and views shared by students at institutions of higher learning (IPT) in the northern region would be given attention by the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) through the Tesis Northern Zone Programme.

“The Tesis programme serves as a platform for dialogue, asking questions and sharing views. Among the issues raised by students are welfare, academics, career pathways, the economy and current issues related to the education sector.

“Almost all the concerns they voiced will be brought to the ministry level, especially those related to the impact of the economic crisis, which is also affecting students,” he said.

— BERNAMA