Mindset may be holding back Malay students: AMP
SINGAPORE - Malay students could be underachieving in their studies because of their mindset, a study conducted by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) has suggested.
Almost half - 47 per cent - of the 350 Malay parents surveyed in the AMP's perception survey thought their children might face challenges in getting into university because of a lack of interest and ambition. Another 25 per cent said their children did not want to go to university.
Nonetheless, 70 per cent of respondents disagreed that "the Singapore education system is particularly demanding or prevents Malay students from achieving".
The respondents are a representative sampling of households, income levels and age groups.
"This shows that most parents think the issues (of academic underperformance) are with the levels of drive and confidence on the part of their children, rather than with the education system", the AMP said in a statement yesterday.
Affordability could also be a reason why Malay students forgo university education, said the AMP. Some four in 10 parents cited affordability as a barrier.
Between 2005 and 2010, the percentage of Malays in local universities grew from 5.1 per cent to 6.8 per cent.
This 1.7-percentage point increase, however, was less than the 5.9-percentage point increase for the other ethnic groups, said the AMP.
The findings of the survey will be discussed at the AMP's 3rd National Convention on June 30.
By Amir Hussain
07 June 2012