UEC students need BM and History, say educationists

PPBM strategist Rais Hussin says PH manifesto calls for the same standards in university entrance, indicating that a pass in History is a must for UEC to be accepted.

Recognition of the privately managed UEC examination has riled up educationists and politicians.

PETALING JAYA: A Pakatan Harapan strategist and two education experts have upheld the need for a pass in the History subject as a requirement for university entrance, disputing a deputy minister’s recent statement.

Rais Hussin, who was part of Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto team, said the manifesto clearly stated that recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate of independent Chinese schools “will be assessed to be equivalent to the existing general qualifications for entry into public universities”.

Public universities currently accept Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or the equivalent, and students must achieve at least five credits, including a credit in BM, and a pass in History.

Rais’s comment appeared to contradict a statement by Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching, who was quoted recently as saying that UEC holders needed only a credit in Bahasa Melayu, and not a pass in History.

Two other educationists also agreed with the need for a pass in History as an entry requirement.

Rais told FMT that “the manifesto is clear” and existing standards must apply for university entrance. “Those who sit for the UEC must meet the same standards and criteria which exists now, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“We specifically mentioned BM to recognise its importance in line with the National Education Policy, but it also goes on to say that the UEC will be assessed to be equivalent to the existing general qualifications for entry into public universities.”

Rais said PH would stay the course on the controversial UEC issue, and be consistent with its manifesto. He reiterated that the promise to recognise UEC was not among Pakatan’s 100-day promises.

“This doesn’t mean that we will wait till the end of our term to fulfill this promise, but this is a matter pertaining to our National Education Policy, it cannot be rushed. It’s not like frying eggs.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor Teo Kok Seong said it was fair to maintain the credit in BM and pass in History. Both subjects were key to nation building.

“History is important for us to learn our past, better understand the present and prepare for the future. Regardless of political allegiance, everyone should push for a history pass,” he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said the minimum requirements for recognition of UEC should be the same as those for SPM.

Shamsul Amri, founding director of UKM’s Institute of Ethnic Studies, said UEC students could either take SPM history as a separate subject or the UEC syllabus could be amended in line with SPM.

“UEC students also study Malaysian history and world history, it’s not exactly a new subject, it’s just that they learn it in Mandarin, so passing it shouldn’t be a problem for them,” he said.