MARA to review policy of sending students abroad

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) will review its policy of sponsoring students to study abroad, in line with the government's desire to turn Malaysia into a regional education hub.

Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said under the new policy, only a selected number of students will be sent to study abroad, while the rest will be placed in local universities.

"The government is encouraging local universities to recruit students from countries like Indonesia, China, India as well as African nations. However, at the same time, we are also sending students abroad.

"We should be encouraging more students to continue their studies in local universities, as the abilities of the teachers here are on par with foreign universities," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating SK Kerayong Jaya's 7th Parent Teacher Association Annual General Meeting near here, today.

According to Ismail Sabri, MARA has sponsored more than 1,000 students abroad, in countries like the United Kingdom, United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

Meanwhile, he said the move to increase the allocation for education by RM300 million in the recalibration of the 2016 Budget recently, clearly showed that the government always gave priority to education, even in the current uncertain economic situation.

"This effort proves that the government is capable and determined to strengthen the country as an education hub in the region," he said.

The Bera MP said MARA, in the meantime, planned to build five more MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) this year, namely in Ketereh, Kelantan; Bagan Datok, Perak; Sik, Kedah; Bera, Pahang and Tanah Merah, Kelantan.

He said the move was made to meet the growing demands of parents, who wanted to send their children to study in MRSMs.

Ismail Sabri said 50 MRSMs have been built across the country so far, which provide better learning opportunities for Bumiputera students, particularly in rural areas.