'No UEC recognition for now, resolution needs to follow education policy'

 

The fate of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), the graduation qualification for Chinese independent schools, remains in limbo after Putrajaya changed hands from Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional.

However, education deputy minister (II) Muslimin Yahya offered a glimpse of how the new government is leaning in response to a question from Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong in the Dewan Rakyat's special chamber this week.

Khoo had asked the government about its position on the UEC special review committee which was set up under the previous Harapan government with the view of recognising the certification as well as whether current PN government plans to follow through with the recognition.

Muslimin, based on the Hansard of the special chamber's session on Tuesday, said the government, at least for now, did not intend to recognise the UEC until it complies with the national education policy.

"To date, the government and Education Ministry maintains that they will not recognise the UEC. UEC must follow the national education policy if the government is to consider a solution in the future," Muslimin told the special chamber.

He did not give further details about UEC's future prospects for recognition.

Notably, Muslimin started his response by pointing out that the recognition was a promise made by the previous Harapan government.

With regard to the UEC special review committee, Muslimin said the PN government respects its role in trying to resolve the issue of UEC's recognition and took note of the work, including engagement, it had done.

He added that the Education Ministry had sought updates from the committee on its report even though its mandate had already expired on Feb 29.

'Played up by irresponsible party'

"Recognising that the issue handled by the UEC special review committee has dragged on for almost 45 years and is complex and sensitive for Malaysians, the Education Ministry had never pressured for the report to be expedited.

"This is to avoid the issue from being debated in public. However, the issue of UEC recognition was played up in the press and social media in July by certain irresponsible quarters who did not respect the process of the report," he said.

Muslimin gave the example of reports on the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) claiming that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in a personal conversation with them, had expressed hope that the UEC could be recognised.

This is to be followed by the Prime Minister's Office's denial for which Muslimin cited Malaysiakini's report.

Muslimin also cited the talk show "Consider This" on Astro Awani which featured the UEC special review panel chairperson Eddin Khoo discussing the topic "UEC - hurdles to recognition".

"In order to get clarification about the matters arising from UEC and the status of the UEC special review committee's progress report, the Education Ministry's top management (chief secretary and director-general) met with the chairperson on July 28," he said.

Muslimin said the ministry was informed that the report was ready but additions needed to be made. He also noted that the report was written in entirety by Khoo.

He said all members of the UEC special review committee agreed to pen their positions on the issue and verify the report's recommendations and avoid a clash of opinions between the members.

He said another meeting was scheduled for Aug 17 but had to be postponed as Khoo had to undergo quarantine as a precaution against Covid-19.

From left: Raimi, Khoo and Tan

A meeting was then held on Sept 17 where the special review panel was asked to provide further feedback.

"The UEC special review panel members Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim and Tan Yew Sing were requested to provide their feedback and views in writing. Their feedback is to be included in the final draft of the report by the committee," he said.

Khoo, Rahim and Tan make up the three-member UEC special review panel.

Muslimin added that the Education Ministry had also provided the committee with the necessary documents it needed.

"To date, the Education Ministry has not received any preliminary report, draft report or complete report from the UEC special review committee as set out when the appointments (to the committee) were made.

"Therefore, there are no findings for the Education Ministry to look into. The Education Ministry will take the appropriate action when the report is handed over," he said. - Mkini