Call on PH to adhere to manifesto of recognising UEC
by Lim How Pim · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 15): Recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) does not go against the Federal Constitution, and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government should adhere to its manifesto of recognising it, said Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy).
In a statement, it voiced its support of federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s stance that the recognition of UEC does not contradict, and is in line, with the Federal Constitution.
According to Dapsy, Article 152 of the Federal Constitution not only establishes Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, but also guarantees the people’s right to use their mother tongue and lays the foundation for the existence and development of a multi-stream education system.
“This also serves as the legal basis for Chinese independent secondary schools to operate across the country. Although Chinese independent schools use the Chinese language as the medium of instruction, their curriculum includes the Bahasa Malaysia subject.
“In fact, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) views positively the proposal to make obtaining a distinction in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Bahasa Malaysia subject a pre-requisite for the recognition of UEC,” it said.
Dapsy said this clearly showed that Dong Zong, which manages Chinese independent secondary schools, respects the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
“Thus, any claims that recognising UEC will challenge the status of the national language is baseless and being politicised.”
In responding to the Ministry of Higher Education’s remark that the recognition of UEC must be in line with the National Education Philosophy, Dapsy called on the ministry to first clarify the true definition of the phrase ‘recognition of UEC’.
“The National Education Philosophy generally applies to government schools, but the recognition of UEC does not mean that Chinese independent secondary schools turn government schools.
“On the contrary, the recognition of UEC is an effort to recognise the credential as academic qualifications with international credibility, similar to A-Levels and other international academic qualifications, serving to enable UEC holders to secure a place in public universities.
“In other words, recognising UEC serves as an academic recognition and uniformity, not a move to change the status of Chinese independent secondary schools to government schools,” it explained.
Dapsy said that over the years, Chinese independent secondary schools have produced many outstanding talents for the country.
“Their graduates are accepted by leading universities across the globe. The excellent academic level and global recognition of UEC are facts that cannot be disputed.”
Given this, Dapsy urged all parties to evaluate UEC based on academic standards, and subsequently recognise it as an important asset in the country’s multi-stream education system that will help the country retain more local competitive talents who can bring Malaysia’s development to the next level.