THE Education Ministry does not plan to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), said its senior minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
In a parliamentary reply dated yesterday (July 26), Radzi said his ministry has never channelled any financial allocation to Chinese-medium high schools as their education system – which offers UEC – is not aligned with the National Education Policy.
“The National Education Policy was implemented through a national education system for the national language to be used as the main medium of instruction, a national curriculum to be used, and students to sit for the same examination,” he clarified.
“This is to fulfil the nation’s aspirations and needs for the future while fostering unity among the people, in line with the Rukun Negara,” he said.
In contrast, Radzi noted that Chinese-medium high schools use Mandarin as their medium of instruction and that they have their own curriculum, which is developed by the Chinese education group Dong Zong.
Radzi was replying to Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh’s query if the Government planned to recognise UEC for public university applications.
The DAP MP also asked about the amount of funds Putrajaya would be channelling to Chinese-medium high schools this year.
Radzi said the ministry had never channelled funds to these schools because they offered the UEC, which was not in line with the National Education Policy, the Education Act 1996 and other existing legislation.
“Therefore, the UEC needs to adhere to the National Education Policy in order for the Government to consider (recognising it) in the future,” he remarked. – July 27, 2022
