Scholarships

This article has always been an agenda where Malaysians always keep at heart but are constantly unhappy of. Just as we thought the government is trying to give help to all races by providing scholarships to the needy ones after a poor showing in the elections, here comes the truth behind Jekyll's real image, Hyde.

Parliament: VIPs’ kids getting scholarships?

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister’s Department was queried if overseas scholarships were given to Ministers’ and Mentris Besar’s children despite not doing well in examinations.

Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) said he received information that VIPs’ children who did not deserve scholarships had their applications approved.

“I want to know if this is true and if it is true, why these children were given scholarships? They do not qualify,” he said in a supplementary question.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Johari Baharum (BN- Kubang Pasu) replied that he would take note of the claim and give a written reply if there were any VIP’s children receiving scholarships through unlawful means.

He said that the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships were offered according to merit.
“Academic achievement constitute 70%, socio-economic background 10%, co-curriculum (activities) 10% and the interviews carry 10%,” he said.

In another supplementary question, Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent - Pasir Mas) asked if the
Government would consider the economic background of applicants instead of academic achievements when approving scholarship to help those in rural areas.

Mohd Johari replied that scholarships had to be given based on merits otherwise the applications could be rejected.

“It’s a good suggestion, but if we send these students to universities say in Australia, they must qualify academically to even enter the university,” he said.

source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/20/nation/20081020182615&sec=nation

In the first place why should minister's children should even be considered as a candidate for the scholarships. Their parents earn buckets full of cash that could feed them for their next generation. Ministers do not pay taxes and whole lots of other stuffs while schools and institutions are financed by tax payers. Should they be even allowed into school???

These scholarships are supposed to be given solely to those who really needs it and not these free spending ministers' children. I agree that academic results are of primary consideration, however family back ground should be held at a higher regard here.

Talking about sending scholars overseas, we shall also question Malaysia's education standard. More on that in the next post...