By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Aug 4: Most of the Chinese community in Sarawak has no confidence that Putrajaya will recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), if the implementation of the education policies of late is anything to go by.
According to Sarawak United Association of Chinese Independent Secondary School Management Board vice-chairman, Datuk Richard Wee, the Chinese community felt there was little hope for the federal government to realise its promise to recognise UEC.
This after observing what has been happening in Malaysia’s education policies.
“The Chinese community has been hoping that PH (Pakatan Harapan) will realise its election manifesto of recognising UEC after the May 9 general election last year.
“However, judging from what is happening now, it is a far cry of what PH has promised in their election manifesto. The Chinese community has almost given up hope for PH to recognise UEC.
“I personally do not have high hope that UEC will be recognised by the federal government despite being constantly told that the recognition of UEC is a one-mile journey,” Wee told DayakDaily.
He said that there seems to be no sincerity or strong will for PH to realise that promise, which means a lot to the Chinese community.
“All sorts of excuses are given by the federal government when recognition of UEC is concerned. The so called one-mile journey has been delayed and delayed.
“Rather than seeing UEC being recognised, we see a new syllabus of Jawi inserted into the primary school curriculum. The Chinese community does not mind learning a new language. But why is it so difficult to recognise UEC when the international community is recognising it?
“Even Sarawak has already recognised it in 2015 and after four years, instead of bringing adverse effect to the state, it is a decision that made all Sarawakians very proud,” he said.
Wee, who is also Committee Management of Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No 1, 3 and 4 chairman, pointed out that if the federal government has been sincere in recognising UEC, it must set a time frame to settle the issue.
“UEC recognition is something close to the hearts of the Chinese community and the PH government must give a time frame. The matter cannot be dragged on. We hope for an answer,” he added. — DayakDaily
