Students who fail to complete their studies under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) 2026 will not be subjected to penalties or repayment obligations, the Sarawak government has clarified.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, said student admissions into universities under the scheme are governed by strict academic criteria, including minimum entry requirements set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for each programme.
He said the screening process ensures that only candidates who meet recognised academic standards are admitted, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of failure due to academic incapability.
“With these requirements in place, failure arising purely from academic weakness should not be the main concern. Most students selected are expected to perform well,” he said.
Dr Annuar emphasised that beneficiaries of FTES should focus on maximising the opportunity provided rather than worrying about the possibility of failure.
“Instead of thinking ‘what if I fail’, students should appreciate this opportunity and be guided by principles of responsibility and gratitude. They need to study harder and make the most of what is being offered,” he said in an exclusive interview with TVS recently.
He explained that any action would only be considered if a student’s failure was due to disciplinary issues such as persistent absenteeism or deliberately skipping lectures, which he described as intentional negligence.
“Such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the respective universities, which have the authority to take appropriate disciplinary action,” he added.
In a related development, Dr Annuar advised secondary school students to plan their academic pathways carefully to enhance their eligibility for FTES, particularly by choosing suitable streams and subject packages.
He noted that not all programmes are covered under the free education scheme, and students who opt for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) streams – such as STEM A or STEM B – stand a better chance of benefiting from FTES compared with more limited packages.
“Treat this free education as something valuable. It is a significant contribution by the government to its people. Do not waste the opportunity, because even though it is free, once it is squandered, it will not come again,” he said.
Dr Annuar added that FTES is part of Sarawak’s long-term strategy to develop quality human capital and should be fully appreciated by the people to ensure the state’s future competitiveness and excellence.
-EDUCATION TVET ASIA