The prolonged indecision by the federal government to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) highlights a significant lack of sincerity and political will, according to Datuk Jonathan Chai, the president of the Sarawak United Association of Chinese Aided Primary School Boards of Management.

He expressed that the UEC debate has been ongoing for decades and remains stagnant at the ‘under review’ stage, despite numerous discussions and studies conducted by various administrations.

Political Challenges and Public Confidence

“During the 22 months of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government, a special committee was established to explore the feasibility of recognising the UEC, yet its report was never adopted,” he stated.

“This situation clearly illustrates that the issue lies not in the lack of solutions, but rather in the absence of political will. The federal government has shown neither decisiveness nor sincerity when addressing the UEC matter,” he added.

Chai highlighted that this indecision has eroded public confidence, particularly among the youth, noting that UEC recognition has frequently surfaced in political promises but is often postponed once parties gain power.

Impact on Talent Retention

“The indefinite delay itself constitutes a decision, and the repercussions are felt by students, families, and the next generation,” he remarked.

Chai asserted that the academic standard of the UEC is well-recognised, even by universities in China, the UK, Australia, and Singapore.

“If the UEC were academically deficient, it would not be endorsed by prestigious universities internationally. Higher education institutions evaluate qualifications based on merit, not sentiment, a fact that has been repeatedly validated,” he explained.

He also warned that failing to recognise the UEC could lead to a significant outflow of local talents.

“Many graduates from independent Chinese secondary schools feel compelled to seek tertiary education abroad due to limited local opportunities, and a substantial number do not return after graduation,” he noted.

“Consequently, Malaysia is at risk of losing young talents who are multilingual, proficient in mathematics and science, and possess strong discipline, without any mechanisms in place to retain them,” he emphasized.

Economic Considerations

Chai dismissed assertions that recognising the UEC would impose a financial burden on the government, clarifying that independent Chinese secondary schools are primarily funded by the community with only partial government support.

He further stated that recognising the UEC would not dismantle the national education system or necessitate significant expenditures.

“This would simply require the integration of the UEC into the higher education admission framework and public sector access, with reasonable and limited entry points,” he articulated.

“Concerns frequently raised by the government can be addressed through technical measures, such as Bahasa Malaysia proficiency requirements, bridging programs, or phased recognition,” he suggested.

“These are technical matters, not principles. When technical issues are magnified, they often reflect policy hesitation, rather than genuine systemic risks,” he concluded.

The post UEC recognition: Indefinite delay shows lack of political will, says Chinese education board member appeared first on Borneo Post Online.