PETALING JAYA: The entry requirements for students from Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), tahfiz and other non-mainstream education streams into universities are being fine-tuned by the government, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) said the Cabinet had agreed in principle to recognise the UEC, provided students pass the Bahasa Melayu and History subjects in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
“Perhaps this may initially involve only several courses, because previously this matter was not agreed to,” he told reporters in Negri Sembilan yesterday.
Anwar said the move came after Chinese independent schools accepted the government’s conditions, adding that the same requirements would also apply to students from religious and international school streams.
“Now, when Chinese-stream schools accept this condition, we also welcome it positively. And this is not only applicable to the UEC.
“Arabic schools, tahfiz secondary schools and so on are all subject to the same conditions, including international schools involving Malaysian students – where they must pass SPM Bahasa Melayu and History,” Anwar said, adding that there were still several details being discussed.
When asked to comment on claims linking the matter to politics, Anwar dismissed the criticism.
“In today’s world, everything is linked to politics.”
In a statement on Thursday, the Higher Education Ministry said the Cabinet has approved new, alternative entry pathways for students from religious schools, private schools and Chinese independent secondary schools into public universities.
There are two distinct pathways under the new framework.
For the first pathway, students may apply for any study programme offered through the standard UPUOnline system, where their applications will be considered based on merit alongside other candidates.
As for the second, students who pass their SPM papers for Bahasa Melayu and History may apply to a specific list of relevant degree and diploma programmes.
For religious and tahfiz school graduates, under the second part of the framework, the identified programmes include studies in Dakwah (Islamic Outreach), al-Quran and as-Sunnah, and Tahfiz Education.
Meanwhile, for graduates of Chinese independent secondary schools, the available courses focus on Chinese language and cultural studies, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies and a Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics.
The ministry added that applications will be processed based on the principle of meritocracy and are subject to final approval from each university’s senate.
