POLITICAL parties should stop using the “recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)” as a bargaining chip in the coming election, says Cheah Lek Aee, chairman of the United Chinese School Teachers Association or Jiao Zong, as it is known.
The Chinese community is tired of the entire episode, he says: “Manipulating the issue does not help.”
Jiao Zong hopes that the new government will be able to accept the report by the Unified Examination Certificate Task Force to review the matter from the education point of view.
Many countries in the world recognise UEC but not Malaysia.
Jiao Zong looks forward to seeing the new government ensure all races are given fair treatment in all streams of schools.
Cheah Lek Aee
It is also time to review and re-draft education policy to reflect diversity in the country, he says.
“Regardless of who the Education Minister is, he should continue with the move to reform education policy. More and more parents are sending their children to international schools. This shows that the existing education system is lacking and needs reforming. By doing so, the quality of schools and the competitive edge of Malaysian schools can both be upgraded,’’ he says.
The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) seeks a win-win solution by expressing its views and proposals through dialogues with heads of government departments including, the Prime Minister, says Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan, president of Hua Zong.
Goh says Hua Zong plays the role of a bridge between people and the government. Since the setting up of the organisation, each Hua Zong leader would pay a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister, heads of government agencies, Chief Ministers and others.
Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan
From 2018 until now, Hua Zong has visited three Prime Ministers, the highest number of visits in four years so far.
“This reflects Hua Zong’s objective and its stand. Regardless of who the government is, it will raise issues to the ruling government,’’ he says.
Goh, who is from the Sabah Chinese Assembly Hall, believes that issues concerning the Chinese community should be followed-up regularly if they remain unresolved.
For example, shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools, institutionalised annual grants for Chinese independent schools, a plan for conforming secondary schools known as SMJK and the policy to recognise the UEC.
People do not need to approach the government only when an election is around the corner, he says.
Other issues include relaxing regulations on the Bumiputra quota imposed in share equity of companies, increasing participation of the Chinese in government projects, institutionalising allocations, providing land to build places of worship for non-Muslims, and equal treatment in developing cultures and religions and others. – Sin Chew Daily/Media in Arms
