Dr Hasnita Hashim
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has been involved in education since its inception through its various MARA educational institutions.
In line with its objective of developing Bumiputera and lower income groups through education, MARA will continue to be committed to providing quality education of international standard.
MARA Chairman Dr Hasnita Hashim said MARA is reviewing the subjects or courses offered at MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), and the training and education institutions under them to ensure they are relevant and meet future market needs.
“MARA’s focus is on quality, not only quantity. In this regard, MARA is committed to providing an education that is capable of producing high quality students who can compete internationally.
MRSM participants of the Genius Olympiad.
“At the same time, the teaching staff at each institution under MARA is constantly exposed to modern and advanced concepts and methods. This means that every instructor will have the latest courses or training,” she said in a recent interview at MARA Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
She cited the example of enhancing the professionalism of MRSM teaching staff through training, courses, seminars, and workshops locally and abroad, specifically in certain areas so that MRSM teachers can master the content of teaching and have high knowledge and skills.
“MARA also plans to send teachers to obtain professional qualifications based on teacher competencies. This is to ensure that the teaching staff must master and practise effective learning and teaching skills and approaches to produce quality students,” she said.
To strengthen Technical Education and Vocational Training of Malaysia (TVET) under MARA, it has conducted several collaborations with several industry players locally and abroad.
“For the coming year, we will also announce several other collaborations with industry players so that the needs of the industry and the graduates generated are balanced.
“We want to ensure that our students after graduating, will be the first choice for a company that offers employment and will ensure that these students will continue to find employment and be able to compete overseas,” she said.
Hasnita added that MARA is also offering sponsorships for undergraduate studies at the world’s best universities through World’s Top Universities (WTU) Programme 2019.
“A total of 30 outstanding students have been offered this year for their first degree education at the world’s best universities. The WTU programme is a new initiative of the year,” she explained.
MRSM students work in a science lab.
MRSM’s national and international curricula
On MRSM, Hasnita said MARA’s main focus now is to make MRSM the priority for children to pursue their education in Form 1 after finishing primary school.
“MRSM provides programmes based on national and international curricula that emphasise disciplines in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to produce holistic and integrative excellence.
“Five programmes are offered to Form 1 students at MRSM namely the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSCE), the International Baccalaureate-Middle Years Programme (IB-MYP), the Ulul Albab Programme, the Technical Programme, and the Premier Programme, while the two programmes offered to Form 4 students are the Premier Programme and Special Education Programme,” she said.
MRSM was created to enable students to get the best possible secondary education before pursuing higher education in order to compete in various fields.
She added that they also require students and teachers to communicate in English to help students master and improve their confidence in using the language.
“In addition, MRSM students can also choose third language learning subjects in MRSM to become students with global skills and enable them to further their studies abroad.
“We also have a Diversity Programme offering both the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum and the national curriculum in secondary education. The programme was introduced as added value to the existing MRSM education system,” she said.
Currently, 15 MRSMs are running IGSCE programmes nationwide.
Hasnita also explained that at MRSM students will also be exposed to Digital Learning, which is a course designed to help them cope with the modern day information.
“Through Digital Learning the literacy rate of information technology (IT) among students will increase,” she said.
MRSM students are seen in a computer lab.
Committed to qualified candidates from rural areas
Although the MRSM enrolment methodology is online, MARA has always assisted in the application process and recruitment of students in rural areas.
According to Hasnita, MRSM does not have manual applications but it has created a special outreach programme to assist qualified rural students, especially from low-income families (B40) to get the latest information on MRSM.
“It includes working with the district offices of each MARA state office and the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) to identify qualified candidates,” she said.
In Sabah and Sarawak, she said with the help of district office officials, MARA will travel to the interior to identify and find eligible candidates to apply.
“We understand that geographical factors and poor internet access make it difficult for some eligible candidates to apply. Through this special programme we are able to provide opportunities to eligible candidates,” she said.
Photograph shows buildings at an MRSM campus.
Financial assistance
It is MARA’s responsibility to provide financial assistance to MRSM students who have financial difficulties during the course of their studies.
Hasnita said there are two types of financial aid provided to MRSM students – the Education Assistance Programme (BUDI) and the Contribution Aid and Pocket Money Aid.
“BUDI is a programme where students are given full support such as pocket money, contribution, college uniforms, sports clothes, school supplies, textbooks, and boarding needs. All student fees under BUDI will also be paid and borne in full.
“To date, 2,000 people are receiving aid for 2019. For the year 2020, MARA will provide assistance to 800 students.
“For B40 students who do not meet the requirements of BUDI, they will have the opportunity to get the Money and Allowance only. This subsidy is a RM60 per month contribution and a RM50 monthly allowance,” she explained.
To date, the total number of students at 54 MRSMs nationwide is 37,000 students including 2,138 students in Sabah and 1,801 students in Sarawak.