KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang has urged the government to grant recognition to the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
He said the Sabah Independent Secondary Schools Association (Sabah Dong Zong) bore the heavy responsibility of the nine Chinese independent schools’ development in Sabah.
“This is an uphill task for Sabah Dong Zong as they constantly face various issues and challenges.
“But I hope that Sabah Dong Zong will persevere for the betterment of the independent schools,” Teo said at Sabah Dong Zong installation ceremony here on Saturday.
Teo added that UEC and independent school education were widely recognized in many other countries, which he attributed to the hard work of Sabah Dong Zong.
He himself received his secondary education in a Chinese independent school.
Although the government has yet to recognize UEC, Teo believed that independent schools in Sabah would continue to grow with the concerted effort of Sabah Dong Zong and the board of governors of the schools.
He said the board of governors had always strived to be self-reliant and contributed money and effort into the Chinese independent schools, as well as provided training for teachers to raise the quality of teaching staff.
During the event, Teo also congratulated Tan Sri Andrew Liew on being re-elected as Sabah Dong Zong chairman.
He was confident that Liew’s leadership would greatly contribute to Sabah Dong Zong and the Chinese independent schools in Sabah.
On the other hand, Teo said the State Government treated all vernacular schools equally, as shown by the State Government’s annual allocation to Chinese schools and mission schools.
Between 2008 and 2013, the State Government has allocated RM67,026,630, of which RM17,155,000 was allotted to Chinese independent schools.
Teo hoped that the schools would make good use of the allocation, adding that the State Government would continue to support Chinese education.
Meanwhile, Liew said the country’s leaders have openly lauded the contribution of Chinese independent schools in cultivating talents.
However, he said there were several issues that have yet to be resolved, such as recognizing the UEC, equally allow independent school graduates to enter public universities, and recruiting independent school graduates to work in government departments and agencies.
Liew also called on the government to provide scholarships to independent school students.
“The government should also assist in providing hard infrastructure to independent schools,” he added.
Nonetheless, Liew expressed his gratitude towards the State Government for its annual allocation to Chinese independent schools, primary schools and kindergartens.