Dungun: The government is channelling a total incentive of RM100,000 to each Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) that is in the top five schools in the recently announced Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that of the amount, RM50,000 will be channelled by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) while another RM50,000 will be provided by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW). Ahmad Zahid, who is also the KKDW Minister, announced an additional allocation of RM650,000 to MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba, recognized as the best school in Malaysia in SPM 2025, to enhance the school's infrastructure and facilities.
'The past SPM results reflect the hard work of all of us. Five MRSMs are in the top 5 best schools in Malaysia. The number of students with all A+ scores has increased to 85. How can I not be proud?' stated Ahmad Zahid. He also noted that MRSM Ulul Albab, along with MRSM ATM Bera and MRSM Bagan Datuk, have positioned themselves in the top 15 despite being relatively new institutions. This announcement was made during the MRSM Dungun Opening Ceremony, which was also attended by MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
For the record, the MRSMs that achieved the top five rankings in the country in SPM 2025 include MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba, MRSM Gemencheh, MRSM Taiping, MRSM Pengkalan Chepa, and MRSM Kuala Kubu Bharu. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid urged all MRSM members to continue pursuing excellence through various approaches, such as enhancing academic quality, strengthening the Ulul Albab programme, and expanding strategic collaboration with alumni, industry, universities, and international partners.
Ahmad Zahid emphasized MRSM's significant role in the national education system, providing opportunities for children from rural and underprivileged backgrounds to succeed at any of the 58 MRSMs nationwide and become part of its more than 260,000 alumni.
Meanwhile, MRSM Dungun, which is the 58th MRSM in Malaysia and the fifth in Terengganu, aims to offer quality educational opportunities to 750 students, particularly from rural areas. The MARA educational institution, developed on a 28-hectare site, began operating on December 1 last year, with the first student intake in January. As of March 28, 295 Form One and Form Four students have commenced their education at MRSM Dungun, which is equipped with various facilities including 14 science laboratories, two computer laboratories, and a design and technology workshop.