Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, chairman of the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE), also questioned whether the allowance would effectively attract students to complete Form 6, given similar initiatives previously introduced for Bumiputera students.
“We believe that the best approach to addressing this issue is to provide clearer and more detailed guidance to SPM graduates, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their educational paths.
“They need advice on choosing paths that best suit their aspirations and ambitions,” she told FMT.
On Tuesday, education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry was still finalising the proposal for a cost of living allowance for students and an allowance for senior assistant teachers in Form 6 as part of efforts to rebrand Form 6 education in the country.
Her deputy Wong Kah Woh had earlier told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry was considering an allowance for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students.
Azimah said that besides matriculation and university foundation programmes, many SPM graduates also opt for STPM, which offers several advantages.
“STPM is recognised for university admissions abroad and is more cost-effective than A-Levels.
“It takes a year longer than matriculation or foundation courses, but one-year pre-university courses also have their drawbacks,” she said.
She suggested that the government reconsider matriculation intake standards to raise the quality of the programme, saying pre-university students require thorough preparation for the more demanding tertiary level.
On July 1, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that those who scored 10As and above in the SPM examination would be guaranteed a spot in matriculation colleges starting with the 2025 intake, regardless of race or background.
Anwar later explained that the decision was aimed at reducing tensions in the education system.
When asked about the allowance proposal, a Form 6 student told FMT it could ease the financial burdens of less privileged students.
Hafiz Mansur Khan, who leads the Form 6 Association of SMK Seri Serdang, said the allowance could be used by students to purchase books.
“Some Form 6 students come from remote areas, so this allowance would help cover their travel expenses to school,” he added.