A TOTAL of 440,682 candidates sat the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year.
With the results out last week, it is time for SPM school-leavers to decide on their future — whether to pursue their studies or otherwise.
And if it is the former, the choice of programme and education institution is not to be taken lightly as it will most likely determine the course of one’s life. Therefore, the decision must be an informed one, taking inclination, interests, abilities and the SPM results into account.
The good news is that there is a plethora of choices, both in public and private higher learning institutions, awaiting those with SPM qualification.
Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, deputy director general of Higher Education (Public Higher Education Institutes), Department of Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), said: “There are a lot of opportunities after SPM. Students can pursue diploma programmes at public and private institutes of higher learning. They can also apply for foundation and matriculation programmes as a pre-entry requirement to enter university. There are science- and technical-based programmes, and courses on social science, banking, finance and more. For those who would like to acquire technical and vocational skills, they can enrol in programmes at community colleges.”
Siti Hamisah added that it is important that students understand what they want for their future and this must match their SPM results.
“It is crucial to know one’s interest because a course takes up the next three to four years. It has to be something one loves... and not the choice of parents. Don’t be swayed by friends who may say that a certain programme is good and that one should pursue it. Do some soul searching to find your passion and match this with the SPM results.”
Within the public higher education system — under the purview of MOHE — there are 20 public universities: five research universities; four technology-based institutions under the Malaysian Technical University Network; 11 comprehensive universities offering courses in various fields of studies for all levels of education including pre-undergraduate, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; and 16 Higher Institution Centres of Excellence . Also included under the public system are 34 polytechnics and 93 community colleges.
With post-SPM admission managed by the Student Admission Management Division, the respective education institutes have collectively offered 65,656 places to post-SPM candidates for the 2015/2016 academic session and 62,278 for 2014/2015 session. For the 2013/2014 period, 53,807 students were placed.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry runs its Matriculation Programme, a preparatory course for SPM school-leavers to qualify for degree courses in science, technology and the professional arts in public and private universities. This pre-university study consists of either two or four semesters with three streams: science, accountancy and technical.
Matriculation students who obtain a CGPA of 2.00 (grade C) and above may be considered for admission to public institutions of higher education.
Another option under the public education system for SPM school-leavers is Form Six in government aided secondary schools, a programme which has been available for more than 50 years. Students who have completed upper secondary education and SPM are eligible for Form Six, if they meet the general and specific terms for either the social science or science stream for three terms in order to be awarded the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) certificate.
The STPM certificate is recognised by the Government of Malaysia, Department of Civil Service and Cambridge Assessment, England, and is accepted by local and overseas institutions of higher learning.
Under private institutes of higher education, there are 400 colleges and 38 university colleges. There are 63 private universities including nine branch campuses from United Kingdom, three from Australia and one from China.
Post-SPM offerings at these institutes include pre-university programmes such as A levels — a UK qualification widely accepted by many universities worldwide and focuses on in-depth knowledge in the subjects chosen; International Baccalaureate — an international-based course with a selection of subjects across a broad spectrum; Australian Matriculation — an Australian Year 12 qualification that assesses both coursework and final exams; Canadian Pre-University which awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and emphasises interactive learning, with a focus on individual and group activities; and the American Degree Programme which allows students to transfer to universities in the United States to complete their degree.
There are also foundation studies geared towards a specific degree (e.g. engineering, design, information technology), or can be broad-based leaning towards a discipline (e.g. science, business, arts) which prepares post-SPM students for a smooth transition into a degree programme by focusing on specific subjects related to the degree. Students who pursue foundation studies normally go on to get a degree from the same college/ university or partner universities.
“The purpose of foundation studies is to expose students to the respective disciplines. Once they understand the discipline, they can continue their studies based on their results,” said Siti Hasimah.
There are also diploma programmes at private universities and colleges, similar to courses at public institutes of higher learning.
“A diploma is a level below an undergraduate degree, and equips students with specific industry-related skills and knowledge. Upon completion of a diploma, you will have the option of entering the workforce early, or you may pursue a degree.”
To get details of the programmes offered at higher learning institutes, whether public or private, students should contact the institutes, their websites or visit higher education fairs.
“They should look at the course content and see whether they are keen on it. A student may want to read law, for example. Upon looking up the course details, she may find it is not her cup of tea. Visit the campus and look up who’s who at the university.”
For those who are not academically inclined, look into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at community colleges and polytechnics.
“As per the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), we focus on TVET. There are only 33 per cent of skilled workers in the country now. TVET will drive the government transformation
plan and contribute towards assisting the country become a developed nation.
“There are three ways to look at skills: low, medium and high. The country is looking for those who are high-skilled and such skills can be gained through programmes at community colleges and polytechnics where some 60 per cent of coursework is practical work.
“Post-SPM students need to know whether they want to go the academic path or pursue TVET. It is not odd for an academically high performing student to study TVET. We have to remove the stigma because TVET can provide higher income in certain areas. You’d be surprised to know that TVET students get hired more easily because their curriculum is linked to the industry.
“In the end, it’s all about what you want to do and what gets you excited.”