‘RECOGNISING UEC WILL CAUSE DISARRAY’
Other NGOs may want to introduce examination certificates too, says GPMS
RECOGNISING the Unified Examinations Certificate (UEC) as an entry requirement for tertiary educaton will cause disarray in the education system, Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) president Zambri Mohd Isa said yesterday.
He said GPMS’s opposition to the move was not just based on the fact that the certificate was administered by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Dong Zong (the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia), but also several other factors that the government should take into consideration.
He said as an NGO, Dong Zong was registered under the Societies Act 1966, and was not a statutory body like the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate.
“If the government recognises UEC, other NGOs may would want to introduce such examination certificates,” he said.
“(The) government would have to recognise their certifications (too, so that students could) get into public universities and sectors.
“A majority of those taking UEC are Malaysians. Therefore, as Malaysians, they must (be fluent in) Bahasa Melayu and (knowledgeable) in Malaysian history, as these form the core to build unity in the country.”
He said Dong Zong’s refusal to include Bahasa Melayu and History in UEC proved that it had no regard for unity or fostering understanding among Malaysians.
“UEC’s curriculum is not based on the National Education Policy, which emphasises unity and patriotism.
“It wants the curriculum to be similar (to what exists in) China and Taiwan to preserve their cultures and traditions.”
He said the new government should urge Dong Zong to be more open to reform UEC.
Yesterday, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said it would not take the government 60 years, like the previous government, to recognise UEC.