By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 27: The Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese School Management Board has labelled the federal government’s UEC+2 framework as a ‘token gesture’ which falls short of formal Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition.
In a statement issued today, the association criticised the policy that UEC holders who possess a complete SPM qualification are eligible to apply only for designated foundation, diploma, and certificate programmes offered by public universities.
It also criticised the Cabinet agreeing to allow UEC holders who obtain a credit in Bahasa Melayu and a pass in History in SPM to enter public universities, as holders are only eligible to apply for four Chinese language-related programmes.
“The association is of the view that this falls well short of the longstanding call for UEC holders to be granted direct access to bachelor’s degree programmes, rendering the policy of limited practical significance.
“Taken together, these two policy measures make it clear that the UEC has neither been formally recognised nor accorded university admission status equivalent to the STPM. As a result, the higher education pathways available to UEC holders remain narrowly circumscribed,” it said.
The association also commented on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks made on May 16 that qualified UEC holders would be eligible to apply not only for language-related programmes but also for other suitable disciplines, including accounting.
It said that to date, no details on how this policy will be implemented have been provided, including the eligibility requirements, admission criteria, and application procedures.
“This gap between public assurances and formal policy has created considerable uncertainty. More than two months later, no further clarification has been forthcoming.
“Ultimately, under this arrangement, the UEC has effectively been reduced to a qualification without meaningful standing. Under the Cabinet’s policy, UEC holders must first pass two additional examinations before they are even eligible to apply for a limited number of programmes,” it said.
The association expressed disappointment over the matter, claiming that the federal government had failed to take meaningful steps towards the formal recognition of the UEC.
“In an era characterised by digital advancement and the global democratisation of education, formal recognition of the UEC and the protection of citizens’ fundamental right to education are matters that the federal government should address with sincerity and commitment,” it said. — DayakDaily
