UEC has ceased to be an education issue

 

YOURSAY | ‘It is now tied to racial politics.'

Inside the UEC Facebook debate: Who shapes the controversy?

BlueShark1548: The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is no longer an education issue. It is the core of those who studied in Chinese schools and want recognition of Chinese cultural identity, which the politicians have put on the back burner for decades.

It requires political will to recognise UEC, but Malay nationalists have made it a red line for Malay leaders, none of whom dare to cross it.

Sarawak, however, has opened its doors to UEC graduates and under the current climate, it is not in our national interest for the issue to be pursued.

Headhunter: The UEC issue has gone beyond education, turning into one of politics and race.

Otherwise, why would a strong educational system that’s been positively impacting the nation’s financial and academic growth become a problem?

It’s both selfish and harmful to nation-building, revealing the ignorance and lack of wisdom and courage among those in power.

WhitePony9855: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming is a noisy, powerful, loudmouth who has attracted much controversy, like calling Singaporeans to work in Bolehland.

His recent call for the UEC to be recognised is lauded, but as usual, it lacks substance.

In Borneo, there is no need for DAP. Sarawak and Sabah already recognise UEC. DAP was wiped out in Sabah and will probably face the same situation in Sarawak.

Nothing much for DAP to dwell on except being a noisy opposition, but in the federal government, DAP is part of it. “Apa lagi nak bising?” (what else do you want)

Over in the peninsula, UEC and an unbalanced share of opportunities in government universities and civil service, and the insistence of more bumiputera participation in non-Malay businesses are political fodder for DAP.

Nga, together with one or two more, should resign their ministerial positions and be more vociferous like former ministers and Bersama leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Of course, they should remain in DAP and be like Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.

Koel: What is obvious is that the topic of UEC is primarily "performed" in the grand theatre of Malaysian politics by political actors and those affiliated to political parties.

It is also an important performance around the time of impending elections. So much of it is fake and an old script to be trotted out at certain times for certain audiences. This is conditioning in politics and of the masses.

The contending issue (if this is at all an issue for the public) at the heart of this debate is that of ethno-nationalism vs a very weak Malaysian version of multiculturalism.

And while we are busy arguing about whether this country is yours or mine, other parties have advanced into this country and brought greater dangers stemming from corruption, weak local environmental laws, poor security, and weak enforcement.

Any champions for these real looming challenges?

Mazhilamani: Education should never be used or prevented for political reasons.

If we return to history, learning was confined to only a certain elite group, for the sole purpose of ruling and controlling others into submission and obedience. This happened in almost all major civilisations.

The Indians of India today credit the British colonialists for introducing education to break an existing system that mercilessly subjugated and exploited the illiterates.

Maybe we are also lucky that the British opened up schools in our country, unlike the Portuguese and Dutch. They even made it compulsory for children to attend schools.

Education is not just about learning a subject or two; it needs to be tested and applied to secure the desired results. It also helps open our minds to the changes happening in the world, learn about them, and stay competitive.

Recently, we have been bombarded with artificial intelligence. The young feel they must know about them to keep their jobs. It is all about survival and personal freedom.

A small percentage of Chinese have rested their confidence in UEC. They feel that passing the examination qualifies them to prestigious universities in Singapore, the UK, the US, Australia, Taiwan, and China. UEC can definitely bring economic prosperity to our country.

It is no different from our Muslims who attend Islamic studies and apply for higher education at overseas Islamic universities.

Everyone may have a dream in their life, but why are we preventing them from pursuing their dreams, when it is good for the country?

Those who oppose it must explain how it is bad for the country, people, unity, and economy.

Spinnot: To put things in context, UEC was already recognised by the Sabah state government before the state election last year. It’s not an issue in Sabah.

Don't drag Sabah into a Malayan debate. DAP's wipeout in the state election has nothing to do with UEC.

IndigoGoat3056: Before making the UEC a political issue again, why not first ask Chinese parents and students whether federal recognition of the UEC is actually their priority?

After the Sabah election setback, DAP appears to have revived this issue to project itself as the champion of Chinese education.

Rather than politicians speaking on behalf of the community, it would be better to let Chinese parents, students, and education groups speak for themselves.

Their voices should carry more weight than political narratives.

Cheong Sai Fah: I agree with political analyst Mazlan Ali. The pathway for UEC holders to public universities, civil service, and so on already exists through SPM.

Why debate on it? Just monitor its implementation.

PinkJaguar7289: The UEC debate proves how weak our national imagination has become: a small education certificate can shake the country because politicians have turned it into a racial loyalty test instead of settling it through clear, fair, and transparent policy.

RedGecko6275: It’s okay la… Malaysia will just continue supplying talent to Singapore.

Doesn’t matter if they don’t recognise UEC and make it hard for qualified, hardworking Malaysians to enter public universities.

Keep it up, and Singapore will prosper and gain from it. - Mkini