Good Education Should Override Political Cost

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YOURSAY | ‘Enough with multiple exams and curriculum.’
UEC: What it means to take an exam your own country won’t accept
Was a UEC education worth it? Graduates weigh pros and cons
LimeHorse5802: For most students, the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) serves as a means to access quality tertiary education, enabling them to begin a working career or pursue entrepreneurial opportunities without placing an excessive financial burden on their parents.
Today, the UEC more than fulfils that role.
However, this article also subtly raises an issue that many prefer to ignore or deny.
While the individuals featured may be anonymised or representative rather than literal, the message is clear.
Malay language proficiency among UEC students is often subpar.
The learning of Bahasa Malaysia tends to be highly exam-oriented.
As a result, students may score reasonably well in the SPM Malay paper, yet still struggle with conversational and workplace Malay.
This outcome should not be surprising. In an environment where the wider UEC ecosystem, including classrooms, peer groups, and daily social interaction, operates almost entirely in Mandarin, language exposure is naturally limited.
One of the interviewees openly acknowledged that this became a challenge later on, particularly in workplace integration.
That acknowledgement is important because it shifts the discussion away from politics and towards lived experience. It recognises that while the UEC pathway offers strong academic and economic outcomes, it also carries trade-offs that students themselves are increasingly aware of.
The broader debate over Chinese vernacular education and national unity has been argued exhaustively over the years, often without resolution. I have no intention of reopening that debate here.
What this article does well is remind us that, beyond political posturing, most students approach education pragmatically, weighing benefits, limitations, and prospects rather than identity or ideology.
Chefoo: The whole article is based on two ex-students sharing their UEC experience. A more comprehensive study involving a bigger group will give things some perspective.
ADSSecondly, we can’t blindly say that being a UEC student, their circle of friends are limited to their own race.
Politics in this country has always been and will be for the next decades based on divide and rule introduced by the British.
Don’t tell me Malay students from religious schools mix freely with other races, or the Indians from Tamil schools don’t have these same issues.
We have been segregated through political parties and religious teachings, and our generations are indirectly or directly groomed to stay with their own kind.
Go have a peek at any educational institutions, whether it’s primary, secondary, or tertiary level. Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others form cliques within their own groups and refuse to mix with others.
The sense of distrust, enmity with no apparent reason, persists and is largely due to parental guidance, religious doctrines, and teaching forces.
I dread what is in store for Malaysian education in the next 50 years.
PurpleRabbit4431: The current status of the UEC certificate gives it a competitive edge and advantage over others.
However, if it is brought to the same bar as other secondary certifications, such as SPM, STPM, and A-levels, I am afraid that it would erode the uniqueness of UEC, making it less and less meaningful.
Students who take the UEC exam have already focused on their studies elsewhere in other countries. Why the need to care about whether it is recognised by the Malaysian government?
The government, under the influence of other non-Malay groups, is likely to encourage the Chinese independent schools to adopt more and more other syllabuses not aligned to the Chinese education needs.
Why open your doors to allow such a thing to happen?
To all the Chinese independent schools, I appeal to you all to stay independent as always, do not let the government interfere with the way you conduct your education system and policy.
For those who choose to enter local public universities, choose alternative secondary education instead.
Letdown since 2018: Politicians should not deny the chosen education path of ordinary people for their selfish political gains.
The education in Bahasa Malaysia is not neglected. Being conversant in English, Chinese, and other languages is definitely an advantage to any in their employment, self-employment, or entrepreneurial endeavour in their working years.
Just because some politicians are incapable of being smart, they should not stop others from being smart and choosing to embrace the world and not just “Bolehland”.
Lately, this has become an issue for DAP after the wipeout in Sabah, which is a reality check for those with their heads buried in the sand and enjoying all the rewards and benefits while neglecting ones supporters.
Stop damaging the country further to gain politically.
Milshah: I think the points raised by the pro and the against in this article, as well as by the commentators, are recycled too many times.
My take is that, should the UEC be recognised, then there will be a dual education system. The cherry on top would be that it’s not even following the National Education Policy, and still recognised.
I think the government had already compromised by allowing the UEC to be implemented, even though it’s not in line with the National Education Policy, just needed that extra push to get recognition, to make it a full-fledged education system side by side with the national schools' education system.
The message if the UEC is ever recognised is that we don’t need to follow the National Education policy, no need to teach in Bahasa, no need to follow the national syllabus, but still get recognised.
It boils down to a vote, I guess, those who are for and those who are against. Then we move on.
LimeMoose1462: Enough with multiple exams and curriculum. Why not all primary and secondary schools, at least up to SPM, use the same curriculum and the same exams!
The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Yes, we still have quotas, but at least within the quota category, the ranking will be fair.
With different exams, we cannot rank fairly. Furthermore, the government will have no role in the UEC exam setting. How will parity with SPM be achieved?!
Kawak: There is practically zero benefit even if the UEC is recognised by the government for entry into public universities or public service.
Very limited places and choice of study are given to non-bumiputera, and entry to public service is also limited. So, why the fuss to get UEC recognised by the government?
Open minded 2281: If UEC students can master three languages, then they are way ahead of national schools, which only master two languages.
The second language at most national schools has a very low standard.
UEC students should not be disillusioned, as ultimately, you will be competitive in the private sector, which will reward you on merit.
Undecided: It is good that Malaysiakini came out with this series on the UEC. Based on the experience of both UEC graduates, proponents and opponents have valid arguments for their position, although it does seem the impact on the graduates and the Chinese community as a whole is not that great.
Dong Zong has stated as much as they won’t beg.
DAP should focus on important reforms and not the UEC. - Mkini

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