The Sixth Form pre-university system will remain under the Ministry of Education (MOE) for now, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying the decision was made to ensure the existing framework continues to operate smoothly, Bernama reported.
Anwar said the decision took into consideration several factors, including student management matters and teacher service schemes, following earlier plans for the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to take over the management of Sixth Form and Matriculation programmes next year.
“For now, I have decided that the Sixth Form pre-university system will remain under the MOE,” he said during a meeting with MOE staff in Putrajaya.
However, Anwar stressed that Sixth Form students should have a distinct identity as post-secondary and pre-university learners despite remaining within secondary schools.
“Even if they are within the same school, the Sixth Form should have its separate block, and the principal should be tasked with managing it as a distinct project,” he said.
He added that Sixth Form students should not be treated the same as lower secondary and Form Five students, including being separated from general school activities such as assemblies.
“They should not be lumped together. For example, Sixth Form students should not be included in general school assemblies. Assemblies should be for Form Five and below,” he said.
Anwar said the government may revisit the proposal to place Sixth Form under MOHE in the future once the system is better prepared, including the possibility of establishing dedicated Sixth Form colleges.
