Want Free University Education? Really? Sure or not?

While Pakatan Rakyat's proposal for free education all the way to university seems enticing, it is not without flaws. The Malaysian education system is already ‘almost’ free for every Malaysian child for 17 years of his life, referring to primary until secondary education. University education, on the other hand, is a completely different and costly affair. Put aside the high cost to the country in the short run, it is highly possible that over time Malaysia will have more educated people who are capable to generate the nation's wealth beyond our imagination. 

However, free university education for all is not good either. First, there would be no cut off point on who deserves it and who don't. Second, the calculation that was presented by Rafizi of Parti Keadilan Rakyat only goes for existing number of students. What if every SPM candidate gets Grade 1 and that they deserve free university education?

Whatever the budget that has been allocated will surely blow out of proportion. And Malaysia will run into deficit again. Third, complacency among university students will eventually kick in, just like most "subsidy" programs. This has happened to many "good" proposals but when it goes to the wrong hands, the implementation fails. Are we up for a costly trial and error? Surely, all good ideas will have to be discussed over and over again. Thus, avoid to just have a good idea but terrible end result.

I am not a politician nor am I an academician. Then again, this topic is neither political nor academic. This topic falls in between. However, I would suggest who ever is in the decision making seat to review the following proposals.

1) Cut off points is based on the students’ skills, interest and potential and not solely on their SPM results. Introduction of IQ and EQ exams may differentiate a lot on who will go all the way to do PhD and who will be more interested to do technical, semi technical, vocational or to be an artist. I have always fancied German's education system. Find out why, if you are interested.

2) As a nation, industry and all revenue generating entities may want to participate on who and what skill sets do these students need. As a connected society, why not? Those who fall behind the cut off point may have to pay on their own to study OR to start to work in any revenue generating entities. We are getting there to be a highly internet connected nation. Get all those fiber optics to work and seriously match everyone up.

3) To avoid complacency while studying in any free university, a gradual Grade Point Average increase (or any method of score measurement) would determine whether a student deserves to continuously be paid by the government. For example, in the first semester, if their score falls below 2.0, free education immediately stops. You can still continue to study in the same school but you will have to pay on your own using whatever means necessary OR drop out. In the 2nd semester, raise GPA to 2.2 minimum, 3rd semester raise to 2.4, 4th semester raise to 2.6 and so on. Serious students will stay. Students who fool around, please go get mommy's help. The unutilized budget would then be used for other students who have never received any free university BUT are currently studying and getting good results. This will create hope for serious students who just want to study. This will I indirectly give them a second hope.

Many are witnessing a shift over who holds the best think tank between BN and PR. Guess which one is recruiting bright university graduates nowadays? The sad part is when Malaysia is no longer an attractive and conducive place to share ideas, think tanks will migrate overseas. Talent Corp may be a genuine idea. But, don't you think if Malaysia is a fair and just country for everyone, its countrymen would naturally come back home to work? Instead, we are getting a lot of uneducated immigrants calling Malaysia as their home. It is high time that the wealth of the country is generated through knowledge workers and not through blue collar workers and natural resources. Blue collar jobs have migrated to China and natural resources will be depleted eventually. 

Finally, understand this, some Malaysians overseas are getting RM50,000 per month, do you think they want to come back home only to get RM20,000 per month? This may be obscene figures to you. But, with experience, knowledge and university education, people elsewhere around the world will pay better.

Love your country, do the right thing! I love Islam, I can do everything that Allah loves! ~ Riadz, 9/3/2013.