By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 29: The federal government’s National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) should take a leaf out of Yayasan Sarawak’s book and accept applications from Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders, says Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 Alumni Association Kuching chairman Bong Lian Huan.
In a statement, Bong claims that Yayasan Sarawak’s education loan policies are significantly more inclusive than PTPTN’s as the former addresses the needs of Independent Chinese Secondary School (ICSS) students—reflecting the Sarawak government’s respect for and support of multicultural education.
“In contrast, PTPTN excludes UEC holders, requiring applicants to hold an SPM or STPM certificate. Yayasan Sarawak, on the other hand, allows UEC holders with a single-credit pass in Malay subject at the SPM level to apply, showcasing its flexibility and alignment with the local education landscape,” he said.
Therefore, Bong called on politicians to refrain from exploiting the issue for political purposes and to instead direct their efforts towards encouraging the federal government to recognise UEC, similar to Yayasan Sarawak’s approach.
Meanwhile, Bong also proposed some proposals to improve Yayasan Sarawak’s loan policies, including simplifying application procedures and lowering thresholds for economically disadvantaged students.
He also emphasised the need for greater publicity and outreach to raise awareness among UEC students and their families about the opportunities provided by Yayasan Sarawak. — DayakDaily
