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1000 extra matriculation places for Indian students at Binary University College?

May 7th, 2012
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I’m sure you still remember our PM’s announcement that an additional 1000 places will be provided for Indian students to pursue matriculation. It was well received, although I expected a more concrete policy-level and high impact announcement (like opening matriculation for all or abolishing it). At the moment, about 500 places are allocated. There’s no mention if this is a one-off gesture or will be implemented annually.

(Interesting fact: the 1000 places were agreed in September (refer video below) but announced in February, during Ponggal celebration in Kapar.)

Now, news is coming out that the 1000 places will be in Binary University College (located in Puchong), and not actually at the government matriculation centers.

MIC President, Senator G Palanivel and also Deputy Minister SK Devamany themselves mentioned that “some” students will be placed in IPTS, including Binary. So another permutation is provided. ( from MIC TV Online):

The announcement is was made on 19th September 2011 (refer the photos on Binary’s website - http://www.binary.edu.my/index.php/events/events-at-binary/ ) and compare to the video above.

This was also highlighted on a youtube video below with some valid questions:

And also in an article in The Kuala Lumpur Post:

They are many unanswered question about the 1000 places given to Indian students to pursue matriculation this year. Those representing the community at the higher level show their gratitude by praising the Government for providing this opportunity. We are also happy because at last the Indians are given the opportunity to compete on the even field. Now many are claiming that they have fought tirelessly for this opportunity but are not given due recognition. However, we shouldn’t be clouded or blinded with all these elation and celebration. We need to know clearly that this promise is being implemented effectively due to claims that a particular private higher learning institution has been appointed carry out this initiative.

The questions are:-

  1. Who is monitoring this process? Is it MIC
  2. If MIC is monitoring the implementation of this initiative, can they assure that all the students will be placed in public matriculation colleges rather than private institutions?
  3. If at all the students are placed in a private institution, will they be accepted into Public Universities (IPTA) after completing their matriculation?
  4. If no, why other professional private institutions such AIMST, TAFE, Penang Medical College, Perdana University, International Medical College and other professional institutions are not included in this initiative?
  5. How about the fee – if the students are placed in private universities – do they have to follow the fee structure in private universities or public universities – we are talking about cream of the society who deserve places in public universities – finally they will end pay back more than what they supposed to payback.
  6. Can the admission of the students offered places in matriculation be made public to ensure transparency?

source: http://kualalumpurpost.net/unanswered-question-about-the-1000-places-given-to-indian-students-to-pursue-matriculation/

The comment on the article above is also useful to gauge the possible impact of placing 1000 students in an IPTS.

But if you refer to the NST article below (on the announcements during Ponggal), the PM specifically said that the places will be in public institution and that MOHE will arrange for it.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday announced that the government would offer 1,000 more places annually for Indian Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia holders to pursue matriculation courses at public institutions.

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at a Ponggal celebration at the Kelab Kilat Padang, TNB, in Kapar yesterday.

With this, the prime minister fulfilled the promise made during the recent Thaipusam celebrations.

Najib said this to applause from some 20,000 people during the Ponggal celebration at Kelab Kilat Padang TNB, here, last night.

He said with the increased intake of deserving Indian students, it would encourage them to strive for excellence in public institutions.

“This means the number of Indian students in matriculation now will increase from 559 students to more than 1,500 students for the 2012/2013 session.

“The Higher Education Ministry will be arranging the 1,000 seats after last year’s SPM results are announced,” he said, adding that priority will be given to high achievers.

Obviously, we consider the latter events had superseded the earlier ones, and thus hold PM onto his word that the places will be in government public institutions and not some IPTS which got  1 Star for MyQuest under Science Maths and Computing cluster (although overall it was given 5 Star, and for Social Science Business given 6 Star),  Tier 3 for SETARA 2009, never run a matriculation program and is not a proper campus. (refer MyQuest document in MOHE website).

Anyway, I seriously doubt anyone would be dumb enough to place all 1000 students in one place as that will be a PR disaster.

When these kind of half-baked announcements are made, without proper details and transparency, and later you have to read the fine print to find that all is not so rosy, makes it look like 1 step forward and 2 step backwards for them.

My question: aren’t you supposed to study matriculation at pusat matrikulasi, instead of some IPTS? And when would you learn to provide accurate and detailed information to the citizens?

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JPA scholarship 2012 Bursary, Program Khas, PILN, PIDN

April 18th, 2012
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It is indeed a positive move to award bursaries to the SPM 9A+ achievers. Obviously, those in the 7,8 and 9As range will be disappointed with the decision. For the bumiputra/Malay students, they are lucky as MARA’s convertible loan’s minimum requirements are 5A- (diploma at Mara institutions), minimum 6A- to 8A- for local degree (including pre-u) and 7A- to 9A- for overseas degree  (including pre-u). So where does it leave the others? STPM would an option (being revamped into modular semester based examination would make it more attractive).  For Indians, the PM pledged extra 100o places in matriculation (of which some will be taken by the Bursary recipients).  Others will opt for foundation or diploma programs in IPTS, or if lucky, chosen to enter foundation (selected IPTA), diploma (IPTA) and politeknik. The less than average results will take the skills-based training route, and others will enter the workforce. That’s about it.

Interesting thing about the Bursary is that it is awarded on merit. So if the student scores 3.50 CGPA and above, and able to secure place in the listed universities, his/her education will be funded.

PIDN (Program Ijazah Dalam Negara – local degree scholarship) which offers 10,300 places is based on merit (so far), however, what many seem to miss is that PILN (Program Ijazah Luar Negara – overseas degree scholarship) is not based on merit alone.  Even though the stipulated requirements are minimum CGPA 3.50 at pre-u level for PILN, there’s four category if award – scholastic achievement (academic) (20%), racial composition (60%), East Malaysia bumiputera (10%), and socially disadvantaged (10%). Of the 60% based on race, Indian students allocated 7%. Interestingly, the number of PILN scholarship to be awarded in 2014 is not mentioned.  Also not clear if the requirement of CGPA 3.50 will be relaxed under the related categories, or the student must get CGPA 3.50 regardless of which category he/she is applying under. The other catch is that, even though you manage to wriggle your way into getting a JPA overseas degree scholarship, you still need to secure a place in the listed universities.

There’s also a special program for engineering courses in Germany, Korea, Japan and France for 200 SPM leavers. Similar to PILN, it is also not based purely on merit but the four categories mentioned about, and with the same percentage - scholastic achievement (academic) (20%), racial composition (60%), East Malaysia bumiputera (10%), and socially disadvantaged (10%). The minimum requirement is either 7A- and 2B+ or 9A-. Again question arises if the requirement will be relaxed to accommodate the categories.

Whatever it is, we hope for a day where quotas are given on a more rational, needs basis such as socially disadvantaged  or economic status instead of artificial requirements.

If you want to know more about the scholarship, refer the following websites:

esilav2.jpa.gov.my

http://apps.moe.gov.my/bursaryspm2011/

www.eduhelp.my

reference: JPA document at http://www.jpa.gov.my/docs/akhbar/2012/ka10042012A.pdf

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Study and Career Guidance for SPM leavers by MIC

March 22nd, 2012
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[click to enlarge]

source: facebook

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SJKT Ladang Minyak gets 2 acre land from UMW as compensation

March 12th, 2012
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Good news amidst some bad ones, SJKT Ladang Minyak gets compensation land from UMW Holdings to construct new building.

Anyway, I thought that such redevelopment of estate land must incorporate proper settlement of ex-workers and relocation of schools, temples etc. Remember reading about it somewhere. Not sure if under state or federal policy.

10 acres were allocated, of which 8 was given as compensation to estate workers by handing over the land to RV Globals Sdn Bhd. Which sounds weird but maybe its some legal requirement to have an entity to represent the workers. This company will subdivide the land and built houses and other infrastructure for the 136 ex-workers.  It seems the chairman of LPS is also involved in RV Globals.

Below is the news on the 8 acres transfer ceremony done in 2007:

Dato’ G. Palanivel, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development today witnessed the signing of the transfer of 8-acres of UMW land in Serendah, valued at RM2.0 million, as compensation to ex-workers of the New Serendah Estate, through RV Global Sdn Bhd, which acts as a legal entity to represent the ex-workers.

The Transfer Agreement was signed by Dato’ Dr Abdul Halim Harun, UMW Group Managing Director & CEO and En Meor Mohar Azhar Abd Ghani, Executive Director, on behalf of UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd, whilst Mr A Ramarao and Mr A Kohilan Pillay, Managing Director and Director, respectively, signed on behalf of RV Global Sdn Bhd.

Also present at the ceremony were Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, UMW Group Chairman, senior MIC officials, representatives of New Serendah Estate and senior management of UMW Group.

When UMW acquired the New Serendah Estate Land from the Selangor State Government in 1992, there were 136 ex-estate workers occupying the workers’ quarters on UMW’s land. On compassionate grounds, UMW allowed them to continue staying at the quarters with free water supply and subsidized electricity.

Over the years, UMW went through numerous discussions and negotiations with representatives of the New Serendah Estate and other related parties, on how best to compensate the 136 ex-estate workers who were affected by UMW’s purchase of the Serendah land.

In August 2006, the UMW Holdings Board of Directors approved a proposal to transfer the 8-acres of land to RV Global Sdn Bhd, which will act for the interest of the 136 ex-estate workers. RV Global will undertake to further sub-divide the land for the construction of houses, as well as build a community hall and a playground for the ex-estate workers and their families.

In his speech on behalf of UMW Corporation, En Meor Mohar Azhar Abd Ghani said, “YB Dato’ Palanivel, in his capacity as the Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament, has been instrumental in enabling UMW Corporation and the ex-workers of Syarikat Ladang New Serendah Estate to reach a mutually agreeable solution to resolve this particular issue. In spite of his tight work schedule, as a Deputy Minister and a member of Parliament, he has made the time to ensure that this amicable settlement is made possible.”

He added, “On UMW’s part, the transfer of the land to RV Global signifies the fulfillment of our social responsibility to the Serendah ex-estate workers community. We are glad that the parties concerned have been able to resolve all related issues amicably.

source:  http://www.umw.com.my/news/PressReleases/Pages/070718_news_release.aspx

So, after 5 years, now the balance 2 acres has been given to the school.

AS PART of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort, UMW Holdings Berhad donated two acres of its land in Bandar Serendah, valued at RM800,000, for the purpose of building a Tamil school for the local community. The property will be transferred in favour of “Lembaga Pengelola Sekolah, SJK(T) Ladang Minyak, Bestari Jaya” in Kuala Selangor which will relocate the school to Bandar Serendah.

Previously, the UMW Holdings’ Board of Directors had approved the transfer of up to 10 acres of land as part of the resettlement of the ex-estate workers of the former New Serendah Estate. Eight acres of the land had been transferred to a legal entity known as RV Global Sdn Bhd, which undertook the responsibility of safe-guarding the interests of the ex-workers and families after UMW acquired the New Serendah Estate Land from the Selangor Government.

The transfer letter was handed over by UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd executive director Suseela Menon to Amaran Krishnan, secretary of Lembaga Pengelola Sekolah, SJK (T) Ladang Minyak, Bestari Jaya. The event was witnessed by Member of Parliament for Hulu Selangor P. Kamalanathan and chairman of Lembaga Pengelola Sekolah A. Rama Rao. [MyNadi chairman is also present in the photo].

Also present at the ceremony were management representatives of the UMW Group and representatives of MIC and Gerakan.

UMW has always believed that a company, a community or a nation can only stand strong and continue to grow and thrive, if it is supported by a strong pillar of knowledge and education.

UMW embarked on this programme because the group believes that education should not be a privilege limited to a few, but a basic right that should be easily accessible and available to all.

It is hoped that the development of this school, to be located on the former New Serendah Estate land, will greatly benefit and further enrich the minds of the children of the ex-estate workers and the local community.

source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/12/central/10883559&sec=central

Hopefully the school will be allocated sufficient funds to construct the new building within the acceptable timeframe.

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SJKT St Helier, SJKT Serdang, SJKT RRI Sg Buloh building problems

March 7th, 2012
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While in recent days we’ve seen Samy Vellu launching new wing of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SRJKT) Ladang Henreitta in Padang Serai (refer here), and  PM announcing proposal provide allocation for 3 new block at  SJKT Simpang Lima anda block at  SJKT Methodist Kapar (refer here), we are also saddened by incidents in three other schools recently – SJKT RRI Sungai Buloh, SJKT Serdang and SJKT St Helier.

You can read about SJKT Serdang classroom roof collapse here, while news on the other 2 schools are below.

 

SJKT RRI Sungai Buloh

THE parents of the 500 pupils in SRJK (T) RRI Sungai Buloh are concerned over poor conditions at the school following a freak storm last week.

They said the school’s roof was heavily damaged during the storm.

Parents’ and Teachers’ Association (PTA) chairman P. Suresh Kumar said the more than 70-year-old school was in dire need of repairs.

Cleaning up: Suresh (right) and another parent gathering the broken shelves from the library.

“About 50 kindergarten pupils were attending class when the storm hit and they had a big scare.

“It happened at about 3pm on Wednesday and the class had to be postponed,” Suresh said.

According to him, the school’s roof had last been replaced 25 years ago.

Suresh added that bookshelves in the library had also been damaged by the water leaking in through the damaged roof.

“A lot of of books were also damaged,” he said

Suresh said the school needed about RM200,000 to repair the damage.

He said he had also submitted an application for a new plot of land for the school through the Prime Minister’s Department.

“I submitted the application last year but have not received any feedback,” he said, adding that the area was up for development and the parents feared losing the school.

source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/7/central/10859837&sec=central

SJKT St Helier

Makkal Osai reported that 288 students boycotted classes while their parents staged a demonstration in front of the St Helier Tamil School in Bahau on Monday over the school’s building safety.

Classes for the 120 affected students would be conducted in the St Helier estate until the repairs are done

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/7/nation/10865586&sec=nation

There’s some action being taken, says ADUN VS Mogan (though its still at level of “akan memohon bangunan baru jika didapati berisiko”:

 

VS Mogan keluar dari kawasan sekolah selepas melawat keadaan bumbung bangunan SJK Tamil St. Helier, di Jempol, semalam.
JEMPOL 28 Feb. – Bumbung sebuah bangunan di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Tamil St. Helier dekat sini yang hampir roboh dan tidak selamat digunakan akan dibaiki segera.
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Jeram Padang, Datuk VS Mogan berkata, Kementerian Pelajaran melalui Jabatan Pelajaran negeri telah meluluskan peruntukan sebanyak RM114,000 bagi membaiki bumbung serta tiang yang rosak tersebut.
“Bangunan yang menempatkan beberapa bilik darjah itu telah dibina pada 2002 oleh Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) sekolah berkenaan.
“Sejak beberapa tahun lalu, struktur tiang pada bumbung berkenaan mula rosak dan menyebabkan berlaku anjakan pada bumbung, yang kini dilihat tidak selamat untuk digunakan oleh pelajar di sekolah ini,” katanya ketika melawat sekolah itu dekat sini, semalam.
Mogan berkata, bumbung bangunan yang menempatkan 120 pelajar itu kini menunggu masa untuk roboh jika tidak dibaiki segera.
Beliau yang melawat sekolah berkenaan petang semalam turut meninjau keadaan bumbung di salah satu bangunan itu dan mengesahkan ia tidak boleh digunakan buat masa ini.
“Saya telah minta pihak sekolah tidak lagi menggunakan bangunan tersebut dan menempatkan pelajar dalam makmal komputer sehingga ia dibaiki dan disahkan selamat,” tegasnya.
Mogan yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Hal Ehwal Perladangan, Sumber Manusia, Alam Sekitar dan Pengaduan Awam negeri berkata, pemeriksaan terhadap semua struktur bangunan di sekolah itu akan dibuat oleh pihak Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).
”Jika kita dapati bangunan itu juga berisiko, maka kita akan memohon supaya dibina bangunan baru yang lebih selesa,” jelasnya.
Pada masa yang sama, Mogan meminta ibu bapa supaya tidak panik dan dapat terus menghantar anak mereka bersekolah seperti biasa.
Wonder if the “RM340 million allocated in last 3 years” is enough or has been actually spent. It was supposed to be for upgrading and maintenance of SJKT school buildings. It was meant to cover about 75 schools, but maybe we have far more school in dire conditions.

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