LOAN REVIEW: Repayment methods will be easier, good grads will be rewarded
THE government will review the repayment method for the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) and determine how to reward graduates with stellar results.
These were among the improvements to be made to the student loans system, which has benefited more than 2.2 million across the country so far.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a detailed study was conducted on PTPTN and its payment method was among the things fine-tuned.
"Several matters will be conveyed to the government concerning this review, especially processes to improve the repayment system based on the convertible loan policy.
"We need to determine whether students who obtain first-class degrees will be eligible for incentives and discounts or have their loans converted into scholarships."
Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said this during his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly here yesterday.
He said the Education Ministry was expected to make the announcement on this new PTPTN move.
He added that it was also considering other methods to encourage graduates to repay their PTPTN loans by making the process easier.
The PTPTN issue had been earlier brought up by delegates at the Umno general assembly, including Mahasiswa Nasional representative Mohd Afifi Mohd Aris, who called for PTPTN to be given a new lease of life.
On the School-Based Assessment System (PBS), Muhyiddin said it was expected to be implemented in a more effective manner in April to avoid it becoming a burden to teachers.
Muhyiddin said the education ministry would improve the manner in which information about the system is disseminated to address teething problems.
"What poses a problem is not the policy but its implementation, which is burdening the teachers. We will overcome this problem in the best manner.
"I have directed the ministry to improve the access to information system concerning the matter.
"By April, the system should be implemented in a more effective way and will no longer be a burden."
Muhyiddin said the PBS was among initiatives to improve the overall education system as the previous assessment system had been too exam-oriented.
Muhyiddin said the Ulul Albab Islamic education module would be extended to selected religious schools in each state next year.
"At the moment, there are four government-aided religious schools in Terengganu that are implementing this module.
Under the module, besides learning normal subjects, it also requires students to memorise the Quran before completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia."
He said it was hoped that the programme could churn out students who not only excelled in academics but also in religious studies.
He said that besides a proposal to create an Islamic community college, the role of existing community colleges would be widened by integrating training programmes offered by the college with life-long Islamic education.
(Source:
NST, 8 December 2013)
