International Students Can Now Take Admissions to Private Educational Centres in January 2021

It looks like 2021 is the year of hope for international students. The Malaysian government has decided to open the door for international students from January 2021. The private educational centres will be open for international students from January 1, 2021.

International students can enter the private educational centres from 2021

The Malaysian government has announced that private education centres can admit international students from January 2021. The centres include mind development, language, training, skills, and tuition. 

The education of Malaysia global services will monitor the entire admission process. The private education centres have to follow the National Disaster Management Agency’s rules and regulations, the immigration department, and the National Disaster Management Agency.

Challenges for international students are not yet over

Though it is positive news for international students, there is a catch. Only those international students can study in private education centres that have already received permission from the immigration department. It means that international students who have already received their visas and approvals from all organizations can go to Malaysia. 

The challenges of international students do not end here only. International students have to go through the Covid-19 test twice. First, international students have to undergo the Covid-19 test before boarding the flight. The rule is that students have to do the test three days before boarding the flight. And that is probably because the results of the Covid-19 test take time to emerge. Secondly, they have to again undergo the test after arriving at the Malaysian international airport. Furthermore, international students have to maintain the mandatory seven day quarantine period in Malaysia.

The Malaysian government will not spend a penny on the Covid-19 tests and the quarantine period’s expenses. What does it mean? When it implies that international students have to bear all the costs out of their own pockets.

The pandemic has tied the hands of the Malaysian government

The Covid-19 has changed its strain. And it is changing its strain from time to time. Vaccines are out in the US, but there is still a spike in the Covid-19 cases. The UK has already declared a lockdown from October 2020. That is why the countries are not able to open everything just like that. 

As far as Malaysia is concerned, only family entertainment centres will be open from 2021. It includes family karaoke outlets run and managed by the Movement Control Order (RMCO). 

The government has permitted karaoke at weddings. However, in the areas that are under MCA, karaoke is still banned. 

People are in celebration mode. They want to enjoy the right foods, the best wines and explore various places. The New Year celebration is just ahead. After a distressful 2020, people want to welcome 2021 with open arms. They want to forget all the miseries and sufferings that they have endured this year for once. All they want to do is party hard and welcome 2021 with smiling faces. However, the Malaysian government is still not ready to give up all the reservations. The Malaysian government has asked people to remember that the pandemic is not yet over. Public health and safety are the foremost concerns of the Malaysian government right now. They cannot take any risk as of now. 

You cannot blame the Malaysian government’s stance, especially when the Covid-19 is not ready to leave this world. The death tolls are increasing along with the unemployment rate. The government’s financial condition is frail and did not have the money to cover the international students’ expense. 

Should international students be happy or sad?

International students do not have a choice during this pandemic. They have to make a decision based on the guidelines issued by the Malaysian government. If the international students feel that the Malaysian government is being inconsiderate, they have to give up their dreams of studying in Malaysia. But where will they go? Many countries are walking the paths of Malaysia. Many countries are not paying the cost of Covid-19 tests as well as the expenses for the quarantine. Plus, several countries are not yet even ready to allow international students to enter airports. In that respect, we have to admit that the Malaysian government has taken a liberal stand for international students. 

Some countries are even working on the new immigration rules, especially for international students. The rules are stringent. If the restrictions are imposed, then thousands of international students will not study in foreign countries. Countries like the USA are planning to set an immigration law where international students can stay there for only four years. That means the international students cannot change colleges or study programs like before. The Malaysian government has not yet introduced any such immigration laws. So, international students should be grateful for that. Complaints and grudges will not help international students in any way. That will not help to revive the situation or help international students to save money and time.

Conclusion 

Why has the Malaysian government decided to allow international students to enter the country? Is it because they are concerned about the future of international students? Or, is it because they are worried about their national economy. It is a well-known fact that the Malaysian government has incurred a financial loss, just like many other countries in the world. International students help to generate revenues for the Malaysian government. They pay double or triple the amount then the domestic students for the same course. So, unless they allow international students to study in private education centres, how will the colleges and government thrive during the pandemic? 

After a careful analysis of the entire situation, it is quite clear that both international students and the Malaysian government need to work with each other during this uncertain time. There is no other option left for the government and the students. 

If the international students are not happy with the arrangements of the Malaysian government, then they can study in their home country until the situation revives.