GOV'T PLANS TO EQUATE FORM SIX WITH MATRICULATION STATUS - ANWAR

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The Federal Government plans to upgrade the status of Form Six students to be on par with matriculation students, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the proposal had been submitted by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

“Previously, Form Six was considered part of the school system, whereas matriculation or other foundation programmes receive allowances. Therefore, the status of Form Six students must be equal to matriculation.

“Whatever is provided to matriculation students should also be provided to Form Six students,” he said during a town hall session at the ‘PMX Sayang Sabah Bersama Anak Muda Inanam’ programme here, today.

The Prime Minister said the government also planned to establish a Form Six college in Sabah equipped with student hostel facilities.

During a recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, Fadhlina said that the Ministry of Education was studying the potential of making Keningau an education hub, including considering the establishment of a Form Six college in the district.

The move is in line with the government's aim to expand post-secondary learning opportunities for rural students.

Elaborating further, Anwar said all development efforts, including upgrading dilapidated schools in the state, stemmed from strong cooperation between the Federal and Sabah governments.

He said Sabah’s youths must be equipped with knowledge and skills, because an educated generation not only improved their own lives and families, but also contributed to the development of the state and the nation.

-- BERNAMA