A student poses a question during the dialogue session.
SIBU (April 22): Students have been cautioned against taking free education lightly, with the concept of free described as “potentially dangerous” if not properly appreciated.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is meant to support students, but should not lead to complacency.
“Do not take the word ‘free’ lightly. This is a golden opportunity that benefits both you and your family,” he said during an FTES dialogue session at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here on Tuesday.
He noted that the government has allocated RM250 million for the scheme this year, calling it a significant investment in students’ futures.
Dr Annuar, who is UTS chairman, stressed that students must take responsibility for their studies and complete their programmes within the stipulated duration.
“You only need to study hard and graduate on time. Three years means three years, four years means four years — not extended beyond that,” he said.
He warned that those who fail to complete their studies on schedule may have to bear the cost themselves, which could place a heavy burden on their families.
He added that the key performance indicator (KPI) of FTES is whether students graduate successfully and go on to contribute economically.
“We will monitor your progress. The most important KPI is whether this opportunity benefits your family in the long term,” he said.
Dr Annuar also highlighted that free tertiary education is rare globally, noting that Sarawak is among the few to implement such an initiative.
He cautioned that a ‘free’ label could lead to a careless mindset among both students and parents if not properly understood.
He further explained that FTES is based on equity rather than equality, meaning support is tailored to ensure fair outcomes for different individuals.
“Giving everyone the same chance does not mean treating everyone exactly the same,” he said.
He urged students to make full use of the opportunity, stressing that it comes with responsibility.
“This opportunity may only come once, so use it wisely,” he said.
FTES was introduced this year, covering 64 selected courses across four Sarawak-owned institutions — UTS, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, and i-CATS University College.
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