MRSM prioritises B40, encourages diversity despite misconceptions
DIANA AZIS
SHAH ALAM - There has never been a policy stating that only poor students are allowed to receive education at the Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM); instead, priority is given to children from the low-income or B40 group.
Explaining this, Mara chairperson Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that Mara's policy sets a quota of 60 per cent of MRSM students from the B40 group, while the remaining students who pass the Entrance Examination to MRSM (UKKM) come from the middle-income (M40) and high-income (T20) groups.
"Hence, the 10 to 15 per cent quota that rejects (offers) is open for appeals.
"From there, letters, emails requesting admission come, and considerations are made.
"However, priority is still given to those who are eligible and have low income.
"But it is not denied that even if they excel among the T20, we still accept them into MRSM because the MRSM policy is open.
"For me, we should not discriminate against children because the landscape and demographics of society have changed.
"The important thing is that they need to be taught to be in a realistic environment," he said.
This statement appeared during the "Apa Khabar Rakyat" discussion alongside panelists Mara Science College Alumni Association president Mohd Fadzli Yusof and former MRSM teacher Nur Aziera Mohd Ramli, moderated by Ismail Adnan.
