Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the admission of students with the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) into public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) will continue to be governed by stringent conditions, akin to those imposed on graduates from schools outside the national education framework. He emphasized that a pass in Bahasa Melayu and History is mandatory for eligibility to secure a place in public universities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted that international schools, which also have a significant number of Malaysian students, are subject to similar conditions. This policy is also applied to Maahad Tahfiz and Arabic schools, which traditionally delivered their curriculum in Arabic without focusing adequately on the Malay language and history. The decision to provide a pathway for UEC students aligns with these standards.

During the national-level Teachers' Day celebration, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Anwar noted a positive shift towards national integration within Chinese private schools over the past four decades. He remarked that the issue of UEC recognition has seen progress, with over 80 percent of students from that stream now choosing to take the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Reflecting on past challenges, Anwar recalled his tenure as Education Minister when discussions on UEC graduates were met with resistance due to the detachment of Chinese schools from the national education system. Communication barriers, such as teachers' refusal to speak Malay in meetings, posed additional hurdles.

Anwar concluded by underscoring the significant change in attitude and approach, which now reflects a spirit of unity and openness within the national education system. Recent meetings with relevant associations have demonstrated a commitment to integration, with all representatives proficient in Malay.