THE government has reaffirmed that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will remain the mandatory baseline qualification for entry into public universities, with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir declaring that the administration would not compromise on what it considers a core pillar of the national education system.
Speaking amid continuing debate over university access for students from alternative education streams, Zambry said the Cabinet had already finalised its position and that the SPM requirement would continue to underpin admissions through the UPUOnline system.
“As long as I am the minister, I will not allow education without the foundation of SPM.
“It does not matter whether students’ study in this school or that school, the basis for entry into UPU remains SPM,” he told reporters after officiating the Kembara Pendidikan Tinggi @ Terengganu programme and the MADANI Adopted Village initiative at SMK Menerong.
The minister stressed that the government would not bow to pressure from groups seeking to alter the public university admission framework to suit their own interests.
“If they want us to change it for their interests, no way. They must adapt to our education system,” he said.
Zambry rejected allegations that the policy discriminates against students from religious schools, pondok institutions or other non-mainstream education streams, insisting that all students are encouraged to sit for the SPM examination if they intend to pursue tertiary education at public institutions.
“We are not discriminating against them because students from pondok schools and religious schools are also encouraged to sit for the SPM examination for the purpose of furthering their studies at public universities,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come after the government recently opened limited access for students outside the national education system — including graduates from international schools, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) institutions, tahfiz schools and private religious schools — to apply for selected courses through UPUOnline.
However, eligibility remains conditional upon candidates passing Bahasa Melayu and History at SPM level, with Putrajaya maintaining that the move merely creates an “access pathway” and does not amount to recognition of alternative education systems such as the UEC.
Zambry said the standardised SPM benchmark was essential to ensure fairness and consistency in the public university selection process.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry announced a separate RM169 million allocation to provide smart devices for primary school pupils as part of preparations for the implementation of the New School Curriculum 2027.
Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the funding, approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, forms part of a broader digital education transformation aimed at preparing future generations for an increasingly technology-driven world.
The devices are expected to become one of the primary tools supporting teaching and learning under the revised curriculum framework.
“After this, we will see other initiatives that can support our collective efforts in ensuring students are able to use these digital tools to support their learning process.
“At the same time, we at the ministry continue to welcome support from non-governmental organisations, private agencies and the community to work together with schools in ensuring students can learn in a complete and comfortable environment when the New Curriculum 2027 is implemented,” he said after officiating the Professional Support Programme for the Digital Education Policy at SK Nyalas in Selandar.
He added that contributions such as tablets and smart televisions would help improve the overall quality of education and produce students who are more holistically developed.
Mohd Azam said the RM169 million initiative follows an earlier RM122 million allocation channelled to state education departments to strengthen teachers’ competency in the use of digital technology.
“This is what the ministry is striving for — an education process that evolves in line with current technological changes,” he said. – May 19, 2026
