AS the Government implemented policies to leave education at the hands of private players, the latter have used various tactics to lure unsuspecting students to sign up with them.
In the second part of this interview, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member Sharan Raj speaks about how certain private educators employ “shadow agents” and racism to meet demand.
“I have handled several cases where racism and religious sensitivity was used by “shadow agents” to recruit students for the dubious colleges,” he stated.
One case in Kuala Selangor, Sharan said, a female Indian SPM student was approached by a man from her neighbourhood, who urged the girl to enroll at a college nearby, located in a shoplot.
“The man told her that there was no point applying for public varsities as she was an Indian student. He convinced her by saying the college was run by another Indian, so her chances of getting in is higher.
“Plus, she was promised free education but at the end, she had to apply for loan with the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). When I checked her results, the girl could have easily enrolled in a Government-run community college,” he said.
Citing another case, this time in Muar, Johor, Sharan said a Malay man was approached by an individual from his village, who urged the former not to send his son to public universities.
“He was approached in a mosque. The man was told that his son will become unIslamic if he attends public varsities.
“So, the man was persuaded to send his son to study in private religious based college and again, using PTPTN loan.
Elaborating on the “shadow agents”, Sharan said they are everywhere and receive commissions from “mushroom colleges” they work for.
“They could be your neighbours, family members, people you meet at religious institutions, Parent-Teachers Association (PIBG) members and others.
“That’s why you have cases where the moment your children completes their SPM exams, you will find offer letters from colleges in your mailbox.
“This problem is especially prevalent in Selangor, Johor and Penang and no action can be taken against them as there are no laws for it,” he stated.
Sharan said that quite a number of these students get cheated along the way, as the courses they take would not accreditation from the Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA).
“Some of these ‘mushroom colleges’ even promise them jobs upon graduating but they end up working in the gig economy, convenience stores and other retail outlets. These are not colleges but degree printing shops,” he stressed.
Colleges faking results to get PTPTN money
Sharan added that while these students are studying in these ‘mushroom colleges’, the latter sometimes fake students’ results just so they could claim money from PTPTN.
“Some of these students fail their exams but the college fake their results and send it to PTPTN, to get the loan money. They also have high turnover rate among lecturers.
On how such colleges continue to operate despite the legality issues, Sharan said that most of them are linked to influential politicians, mainly from Barisan Nasional (BN).
In a reminder to students, Sharan urged the former to check the status of the courses they wish to take with the MQA or any relevant Government agencies before signing up with a particular college.
“For example, if you wish to become a nurse, you can check with the Malaysia Nursing Board (LJM). Usually, those who take such courses with public universities would not have a problem.
“For those who take up such courses in private varsities, you may have to sit for another test with LJM to practice. However, to qualify for the test, the course take must have MQA’s accreditation,” he said.
Sharan stated that he found it odd while the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) itself had given light for these colleges to run the courses, other Federal agencies do not wish to accredit the courses offered.
“And that is why you see most graduates from these ‘mushroom colleges’ end up being unemployment or underemployment,” the PSM leader remarked. – April 4, 2021
