MOHE IMPLEMENTS 'SINGLE WINDOW, SINGLE OFFER' SYSTEM TO AVOID STUDENTS RECEIVING MULTIPLE OFFERS

KUALA LUMPUR,  Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) will introduce a unified ‘single window, single offer’ system for admissions into matriculation programmes and public universities to prevent students from receiving multiple offers.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said under the new system, applicants will receive only one offer based on their best results and the established meritocracy framework.

“Previously, we had a single window system, but not a single offer. As a result, some students received offers from both matriculation and universities.

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“This time, we are implementing a fully unified ‘single window, single offer’ system,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) on the standardisation of curriculum and assessment between matriculation, foundation programmes and the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).

Zambry clarified that the grading mechanisms for all three pathways will remain unchanged, with the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) system continuing to be monitored by the respective boards.

For STPM, assessments will remain under the Malaysian Examinations Council, while matriculation and foundation programmes will continue under their existing boards, he said.

Addressing Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) on plans to transfer the management of the Matriculation Programme, Zambry said detailed steps are being formulated, covering legislation, welfare, finance, staffing, systems and assets.

In the context of welfare, MOHE will ensure that the ‘No Less Favourable’ principle will be referred to, he said.

He added that the transfer process will be refined by a Joint Steering Committee for Form Six and Matriculation, with support from central agencies such as the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Finance to ensure a smooth transition.

From a governance perspective, Zambry said consolidating management is expected to reduce bureaucratic overlap, particularly in curriculum planning, assessment, admissions and quality monitoring.

“This unification will allow resource sharing, data standardisation and more efficient operating costs without compromising student welfare or teaching quality,” he said.

Further discussions have also been held with the Public Service Department to safeguard lecturers’ service schemes and seniority. The transition will take place in two phases, with the planning and preparation phase this year, followed by full implementation of the matriculation programme in 2027.

He said the matter required amendments to several legal provisions, including the Education Act 1996 and the Malaysian Examinations Council Act 1980.

Later at a press conference at the Parliament Building, Zambry said the “single window, single offer” system for matriculation and public university admissions is expected to be implemented next year.

“Next year, we expect to carry out the coordination once the first phase, involving technical and management matters, is completed,” he said, adding that the initial phase would also cover legal aspects.

On the transfer of the matriculation programme’s management from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Higher Education, Zambry expressed hope that the matter would be finalised this year.

He noted that the issue involves STPM-level teachers, who are currently under a different salary scheme, raising questions on whether the scheme would remain or if they would be reclassified as lecturers.

“However, I want to emphasise that matriculation and STPM are pre-university programmes. They cannot be considered university schemes, although there may be technical matters regarding salary adjustments that need to be reviewed,” he said.

He added that the matter has been referred to the joint committees established by both ministries for further deliberation.

-- BERNAMA