PASIR GUDANG: The criteria for school leavers to get scholarships or loans are not as strict as claimed by certain parties, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Higher Education Minister denied claims that the criteria set are so tight that many have chosen not to continue their studies after completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

“There are no tight criteria. For the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), we will only look at the salaries of the students’ parents,” said Mohamed Khaled.

“Maybe those who are saying that the criteria are too strict are those who did not pass (their SPM) or wanted to take a course that is not suitable for the results they have obtained,” he added when met after visiting Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan here.

He said this when asked to comment on a news article from a Malay daily which reported that strict criteria for loans and scholarships are the reason why many school-leavers are opting not to continue their studies.

Mohamed Khaled said the ministry has also launched the First Child Student Development Programme (Sulung) to help students from the B40 category gain access to tertiary education.

“We have introduced the Sulong programme where we give a fee exemption to 10,000 students from the B40 category who are the first to enter university in their family,” he said.

“So, even if they want to get loans, it will be to pay for other expenses and not for their fees,” added MohamedKhaled, who said that it is hoped that it will help students continue their studies.