Enhance SPM performance to maximise benefits of future free education policy, says Dr Annuar

SIBU: Improving the performance of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results in Sarawak is crucial to ensure a greater number of local candidates can benefit from the upcoming free higher education policy set to be implemented in 2026, says Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.

The Deputy Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister expressed concern that if the current issues are not promptly addressed, only a limited number of Sarawakian students will be eligible for the Sarawak Government’s initiative.

“My concern is not just about providing free education, but rather, do we have enough eligible students for this opportunity?

“These are our current Form 3 to Form 4 students who will have the chance in 2026. However, if our SPM results remain subpar, only a few Sarawakian candidates will benefit from the free university education initiative,” said Dr Annuar who is also the Chairman of the University of Technology Sarawak’s (UTS’s)Board of Governors.

He said this in his speech at the Medical Innovation Seminar featuring 10 experts as its speakers organised by UTS’s School of Engineering and Technology (UTS SET) in collaboration with Twin Catalyst Sdn Bhd at the UTS’s campus here yesterday (Jan 13).

The Nangka assemblyman stressed that financial constraints, coupled with unsatisfactory SPM results, deter many former candidates from pursuing higher education.

“If we are not prepared from now, I believe only a few thousand will benefit from this,” he added.

Previously, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak Government will provide free education to 25,000 students in all state-owned universities and higher learning institutions, starting from 2026.