DLP reversal a blow to Mara junior science colleges

The Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) wishes to warmly congratulate all 355,933, or 94% of students, who succeeded in obtaining their SPM certificates on April 24, when results were released.

For the 14,179 who scored straight As, the world is your oyster. While there will be scholarships galore, some will be disappointed as there may not be enough to go around since there are so many high achievers. Even students of wealthy parents may want their fair share of the offers so it is important that every applicant is given a fair chance.

For the 1,789 who failed all subjects, and most of you had personal challenges that you were unable to overcome, remember that there are many who did not conform to the criteria set by mainstream education but still succeeded later in life, but not without a struggle.

But the “Star of the Show” appears to be MRSM or Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) Junior Science Colleges. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has taken social media by storm to celebrate the colleges’ successes under his leadership. Of 57 such colleges, an extraordinary 31 in number, including 10 offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), achieved a Gred Purata Sekolah (GPS), or Average School Grade, of under 2.0. MRSM Kuala Kubu Bharu (IGCSE) took the lead, while MRSM Ulul-Albab Kepala Batas (Tahfiz al-Quran) was in second place, followed closely by MRSM Johor Bahru (IGCSE).

While all MRSM focus primarily on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), not all colleges are the same. There are five types of programmes that these colleges offer, with their respective areas of emphasis. That is, for the Form 1 intake, 12 offer the IGCSE and 36 the Premier programme. Eight of the colleges offer the UlulAlbab/Tahfizal-Quran and two offer Technical/Engineering Science such as robotics and Internet of Things. At the Form 4 level, the options available at three colleges are only the Premier and Bitara/Gifted and Talented.

For the enrolment in 2025, there were an astounding 93,635 students who sat for the Ujian Kecenderungan Kemasukan MRSM (UKKM), of which a mere 8,909 secured places. But after the recent bullying incident when seven boys were expelled, there is some apprehension among folk; unless and until they are convinced that bullying has been eliminated, they will be treading cautiously.

Being able to attract such an overwhelming number of applicants gives Mara the luxury of picking only the cream of the crop, a practice that began from the first-ever MRSM that opened in Seremban in 1972, followed by the ones in Pengkalan Chepa and Kuantan. Science and mathematics were still being taught in English then, before it went gradually and then completely into Malay, back to wholly in English in 2003 and subsequently as an option under the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in 2016.

Thus, when MRSM abruptly abolished DLP in late 2022, affecting literally overnight not only the incoming Form 1 students but also those in Forms 2, 3 and 4 who had been enjoying being taught these two core subjects in English, it was a big blow to the teachers, students and parents alike. Parents were advised to not protest, or they would face repercussions. Only the 12 IGCSE colleges were spared.

My first encounter with Mara scholars was in 1978, when we pursued A-levels at Coleg Aston, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales.

I found them to be warm, smart, confident and unassuming young men and women who seemed to effortlessly ace examinations in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, and yet had a sense of humour, adventure and expression. We were all taught science and mathematics in English in schools then before they turned Malay-medium. All of them, who have come from humble beginnings, now hold their heads high in their respective esteemed professions and specialisations. Subsequently, Mara, too, would fund my professional examinations and remains close to my heart.

MRSM has always prided itself as a specialist institution for STEM. Therefore, to limit its students to science and mathematics in Malay, knowing that the language of STEM is English, is relegating, underestimating and undermining the endless potential of these bright sparks. All MRSM and boarding schools should admit 100% of their students into STEM English courses if the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development desires to address the declining national interest in this field, in order to compete globally, while top performing Orang Asli should not be limited to Mara educational institutions but be offered opportunities well beyond their walls.

What was the rationale behind abolishing DLP? Was it to elevate the GPS? Or was it solely to uphold the sovereignty of the Malay language? There are enough subjects in Malay without having to sacrifice the opportunity of being taught science and mathematics in English.

Eventually, when students pursue higher education overseas such as in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Russia, or Egypt at Al-Azhar University for medicine, or even in Malaysia, STEM is most likely to be conducted in English with a smattering of the respective national language. Even Master’s and PhD programmes in China are conducted in English.

It is easier to master STEM in English as early as possible rather than at the tertiary level when terms become complex and complicated. The risk of failure is higher the longer the delay to master STEM in English, not to mention the toll it takes on the mental health and well-being of undergraduates. MRSM students want to be challenged. And they can overcome any challenge thrown at them.

It is ironic that while day school students opt into and excel in DLP, MRSM students are being restrained. With leadership and support, they can do even better. Challenge them. Return 100% DLP to all MRSMs as it was done in 2003. Do what Sarawak has endeavoured to do with DLP. Sow the seeds, and with patience and perseverance, reap the benefits when the time is ripe.

The Edge