‘Compromise led to UEC decision’

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak’s move to endorse the Unified Examinations Certificate (UEC) shows that a win-win situation can be achieved if the parties involved are willing to take a step back.

The move was possible only because the new Dong Zong leadership, the education group responsible for setting the UEC, was willing to compromise on the condition set by the Education Ministry, said Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon.

“The new leadership in Dong Zong was willing to accept the condition that UEC graduates must receive a credit in SPM Bahasa Malaysia before being eligible to enrol in a public university,” he said.

The former leadership, Chong explained, refused to agree to the condition.

Chong said the matter should not have been an issue to begin with as most Chinese independent secondary schools enrol their students for both SPM and UEC examinations.

He also praised Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem for the move, calling him a man who “walks the talk”.

“Selangor also promised to endorse the UEC, but has yet to do so,” he said.

Dong Zong secretary-general Poh Chin Chuan thanked the Sarawak government, describing the move as a “decisive” one.

“Chinese independent school students can now be reassured that they are part of the country’s national education system,” he said.

Poh hoped that the move would encourage more states to endorse the UEC, just like Sarawak.

The MCA has, over the years, been fighting for the UEC to be recognised, but the exam was rejected by the Education Ministry on grounds that it did not follow the national education system.

In Kota Kinabalu, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said Sabah too recognised the UEC and holders could apply to join its civil service.

He said the state government gave due recognition to Chinese vernacular schools as well as the UEC, which is a Chinese independent school qualification equivalent to the STPM.