By NICK FLETCHER
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and channel financial assistance to Chinese vernacular schools in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the UEC’s recognition is to help Sarawakians who attend Chinese schools.
“We will continue to recognise the UEC, unlike in the peninsula. This is in line with the policies pioneered by the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem,” he said at the 2019 educational grant presentation to Chinese independent secondary schools at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 here yesterday.
According to him, Sarawak is the only state that recognises the qualification of Chinese private examination which is equivalent to the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).
He said it allows Sarawakians who have the certificate to join the state public service and apply for education loans from Yayasan Sarawak.
This year, the state government has allocated RM11 million to the Chinese private secondary schools in Sarawak.
Of the total, RM8 million was given out to 14 secondary schools while RM3 million to relocate SJK Chung Hua Bako to Taman Berlian, Kota Samarahan.
Apart from that, RM1 million was also provided in addition to last year’s allocation.
Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary Schools Management Board chairman Vincent Lau Lee Ming.
