All 214 students who scored A+ in all subjects in the 2009 SPM examination should be automatic recipients of the National Scholarship.
Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government would create a special scholarship called Biasiswa Nasional (National Scholarship) under the Public Service Department (JPA) based totally on merit.
He said the scholarships would be given to the best qualified students irrespective of race, in line with the Education Ministry's decision to review the award of government scholarships.
"Only the best will be getting the scholarships. It is the government wish to place people first. We must consider the people's interest," he said.
Last week, it was announced that a total of 30 students have been awarded the National Scholarship.
Two days ago, DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam Sdri Chong Eng highlighted the plight of Edwina Tang Choi Wern, a top SPM scorer who was not awarded the above scholarship despite having scored A+ in all the 13 SPM subjects which she sat for.
When the SPM results were announced, it was reported that she was the best performer from Pulau Pinang.
In response to media query, the deputy Minister of Education Datuk Wee Ka Siong revealed that MCA Youth had also received complaints from top scorers who failed to receive the National Scholarship.
He said the 4 complaints comprised one student who scored 17 A+, one 14A+ and two 13A+.
The new grading of A-, A and A+ was introduced for 2009 SPM results to make it easier for identifying the cream of the cream. A student who scores A+ in all subjects can now be considered the top cream.
Why then can’t all these students who have scored A+ in all SPM subjects be awarded the National Scholarship? Why is it that the government has decided to cap the number at 30?
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday that the Public Service Department (PSD) would offer scholarships to 1,500 top SPM students to further their studies abroad up to their first degree.
Since in the 2009 SPM results, 214 students have scored all A+ . I can see no logic why these 214 students cannot be given the National Scholarship automatically.
M. Kulasegaran
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