The Ministry of Higher Education will implement a ‘single window, single offer’ system next year to streamline student admissions into public universities and matriculation programmes.
KUALA LUMPUR: 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 applicants will receive only one offer based on their best results and the established meritocracy framework.
He clarified that the grading mechanisms for all three pre-university pathways will remain unchanged. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) system will continue to be monitored by the respective boards.
For STPM, assessments will remain under the Malaysian Examinations Council. Matriculation and foundation programmes will continue under their existing boards.
Addressing plans to transfer the management of the Matriculation Programme, Zambry said detailed steps are being formulated. The process will cover legislation, welfare, finance, staffing, systems and assets.
He added that the transfer process will be refined by a Joint Steering Committee for Form Six and Matriculation. Central agencies such as the Public Service Department and the Ministry of Finance will support the transition to ensure it is smooth.
From a governance perspective, consolidating management is expected to reduce bureaucratic overlap. This unification will allow resource sharing, data standardisation and more efficient operating costs.
Further discussions have been held with the Public Service Department to safeguard lecturers’ service schemes and seniority. The transition will take place in two phases, with a planning phase this year followed by full implementation in 2027.
The matter requires amendments to several legal provisions. These include the Education Act 1996 and the Malaysian Examinations Council Act 1980.
Later at a press conference, Zambry said the “single window, single offer” system is expected to be implemented next year. He said the initial phase would also cover legal aspects.
On the transfer of the matriculation programme’s management, Zambry expressed hope that the matter would be finalised this year. He noted the issue involves STPM-level teachers currently under a different salary scheme.
“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.
