Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

April 9, 2019

In response to the Prime Minister Tun Mahathir’s announcement informing the government would reactivate the Use of English in Math and Science Teaching policy, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are greatly concerned and hereby forward their stance proper:

1. Dong Zong understands that when Tun Mahathir was assuming Prime Minister in 2003, the Use of English in Math and Science Teaching policy was forced forward despite resentment. Nonetheless, this anti-language acquisition policy ended up a failure as it neither promoted students’ English proficiency nor improved students’ knowledge on Math and Science but worse still, brought about detrimental consequences. The then Deputy Prime Minister cum Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin admitted on 23 June 2009 that the measure had been implemented for six years yet the effectiveness was only between a meager 2 to 3 percent. The report later resulted in the abolishment of the policy in July 2009. Now that Tun Mahathir assumes the Prime Minister once again and his insistence on the reactivation of the said policy is greatly lamented by Dong Zong.

2. Dong Jiao Zong opines that the superiority of using mother tongue as medium of instruction has since won the recognisation from UNESCO and accepted as a global norm. There is indication Math and Science in particular are uneasy to master even with the most familiar language as medium of instruction; thus, it will further affect learning if an unfamiliar language is employed to teach and learn. Attributed to this, based on the mother tongue education principle, Dong Jiao Zong vehemently opposes to follow suit: viz., to use English as medium of instruction in Math and Science teaching in national-type Chinese primary schools for the very fact of deteriorating the students’ Math and Science learning and posing harm to the schools’ unique characteristics and environment of mother tongue education.

3. Dong Jiao Zong posits that English as the lingua franca and technology language is undeniable in terms of its importance, and it is crucial for students nowadays to hone their English proficiency for future demands. To acquire English proficiency, second language acquisition theories need to be referred to and to begin with, comprehensive reform and promotion packages should be in place. Dong Zong thus reckons, to promote English proficiency, its objectives, curriculum, teaching duration, learning materials, pedagogical approaches, teaching force and facilities, etc. need to be reviewed, let alone complying with proven education theories.

4. The Use of English in Math and Science Teaching policy implemented from 2003 to 2006 was an unsuccessful one and it further weakens and marginalises the status of mother tongue in vernacular schools nationwide. On this account, we urge the government to learn from the lesson and not to repeat the mistake by scarificing most students’ learning right as it harms national education. Meanwhile, Dong Jiao Zong also calls all Chinese communities and stakeholders, including schools, parents and alumni for a strong unanimous opposition towards the reactivation of the said policy, not only to simultaneously safeguard national-type Chinese primary schools’ unique characteristics, but also ensure optimal learning in Math and Science.

Dong Zong Statement

March 31, 2019

Dong Zong Welcomes LPQB’s Decision to Allow UEC Holders to Sit for the CLP

In response to the decision made on 8 March 2019 by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (henceforth LPQB) meeting that from 1 January 2021 onwards, the UEC holders must have at least 2 passes in the Senior UEC and 5 credits in the SPM, O level or other equivalent examination to be eligible to sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (henceforth CLP), Dong Zong herewith forwards its commendation as follows:

1. Dong Zong is relieved and welcomes the decision made by the LPQB that the UEC holder is accepted and considered equivalent to the STPM qualification to sit for the CLP Examination.
2. Dong Zong reckons the LPQB needs to review the following: (1) seek consultation with several British universities that accept the UEC for admission to their law course; (2) obtain information on the requirements of the UEC holders studying law course currently in universities from Dong Zong; (3) know how the announcement made on 5 June last year affects the incumbent law students with UEC. This decision had finally reviewed the announcement made on 5 June 2018 (from 1 January 2021 onwards, a qualified candidate for the CLP examination must be a UEC holder plus two credits in STPM or A-level ) to “at least 2 passes in the UEC and 5 credits in the SPM, O level or other equivalent examination”. Concurrently, the reviewed requirements are applicable to all registered law students after 5 June last year; it shows the LPQB could tackle the problem from a practical and academic perspective.
3. Dong Zong believes this newly announced measure is comparatively more welcomed and open than the decision made on 5 June 2018. It is understood for the moment, the requirements to sit for the CLP examination are reviewed to “at least 2 passes in the UEC and 5 credits in the SPM, O level or other equivalent examination” rather than “at least 3 credits in the SPM, O level or other equivalent examination”; that is, an additional 2 credits in the SPM, O level or other equivalent examination”. Anyhow, Dong Zong will fight on fearlessly as usual.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

February 28, 2019

The Recognisation of the UEC by the New Government Is Urged

Education to Education, for a Prompt Acceptance of the UEC

The President of Dong Zong Tan Tai Kim’s comment “on the issue of the UEC recognisation, Dong Zong is willing to wait patiently” to a certain extent begs misunderstanding and queries after being reported on media, Dong Zong herewith clarifies with this statement proper:

1. Mr Tan’s address that day had clearly stated, “due to the fact that the government is working on the recognisation of the UEC with the UEC Task Force committee led by the Education Minister Dr Maszlee and committee expects to wrap up the report around June and July, Dong Zong is willing to wait patiently”. Mr Tan’s address may have caused some misunderstanding among the reporters as he missed out certain background details when he delivered his speech. In fact, Mr Tan had clarified the matter when the news was published the following day through the media. But attributed to stereotyped impression, it was misinterpreted and reported otherwise. Anyhow, Dong Zong wishes to take this opportunity to clarify the matter to relieve doubts, hopefully to end unnecessary suspicions.
2. Dong Zong reiterates, its bid to beseech the government to recognise and accept the UEC as soon as possible is its consistent plead and expectation over the years, let alone the fact that the Pakatan Harapan party had listed this in its election manifesto. Therefore, the new government dominated by Pakatan Harapan members should credit its promise to consolidate public trust.
3. Dong Jiao Zong again declares, the Pakatan Harapan government should honour its promise and it is believed to be rational and there is no room for swaying stance. We shall persistently strive for the recognisation of the UEC neither superciliously nor obsequiously by all available means, and supervise the new government for the honour of its ultimate goal promised.

Joint Announcement by Dong Zong & Jiao Zong

January 4^th  2019

Recognising the UEC from an Educational and Academic Perspective

Dong Jiao Zong Urges Pakatan Harapan Government to Honour Their General Election Manifesto

In response to the exclusive interview reported in today’s newspapers, viz., the Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir posited that he had to consider the feelings of the Malays and resolve the huge gap in national wealth distribution first on the recognition of the United Examination Certificate (UEC), Dong Jiao Zong would like to make the following announcements:

1. United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) and The United Chinese School Teachers’ Association Of Malaysia (Jiao Zong), jointly they are called Dong Jiao Zong, would like to reaffirm that recognising the UEC is an educational issue, and that education should not be mingled with politics. Moreover, from a purely academic perspective, a pragmatic, professional and rational approach to the UEC recognition can help Malaysia cultivate and retain more talents.

2. Dong Jiao Zong would like to remind the government that the UEC recognition is a promise made by Pakatan Harapan in its general election manifesto. We hope that, with Pakatan Harapan taking over the federal government currently, new thinking and governance should be installed, and promises credited, including the UEC recognition.

3. Dong Jiao Zong would like to assert that, since the Ministry of Education has set up a committee, Pasukan Petugas Dasar UEC (PPDUEC)  to collect and study the opinions about the UEC recognition from all walks of life, and to eventually compile these opinions into a report for discussion in the Cabinet. That said, all parties and stakeholders concerned can submit their comments to the said committee. As such, no party should endeavour to politicize and incite racial sentiments on this matter, which is likely to interfere with the UEC recognition.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

January 29, 2019

Mere UEC and Recognised Law Degree for CLP Examination Appealed

From 2021 onwards, the basic requirement for the UEC holders to sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (henceforth CLP) has been enacted as follows: (1) Malaysian Bar recognised Law Degree holder; and (2) two credits in STPM or A-level. In response to this newly announced measure, Dong Zong posits its stance proper herewith.

1. Dong Jiao Zong believes that the law maker concerned should rather continuously allow the UEC holders with recognised Law degree to sit for the CLP and not to include the subsidiary two-credit requirement in STPM or A level.
2. As understood, the decision not to accept the UEC as one of the basic requirements to sit for the CLP was made on 23 September 2005 by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (henceforth LPQB). But the fact is, whether it is prior to or before the decision made, having completed their Law degree programmes, many UEC holders had sat for the CLP and proceeded to get their Legal Professional Qualification Certificate. In November 2017, the LPQB practiced the new decision otherwise which culminated public backlash. The following month, the LPQB pronounced to continuously allow the UEC holders to sit for the CLP. Unpredictably, in June 2018, the requirements for Malaysian Bar recognised Law Degree and two credits in STPM or A-level were required from the UEC holders and this decision by all means generated controversy and public qualms.
3. According to media report, the Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had already discussed the matter with the new President of the LPQB Attorney General Tommy Thomas. Simultaneously, the President of the Malaysian Bar Mr George Varughese also voiced that the LPQB would moot the matter in their March 6 Board of Directors meeting. Knowing this, Dong Jiao Zong hopes the parties concerned will come to a satisfying algorithm for the interests of the UEC holders.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

January 2, 2019

To Recognise the UEC from Educational and Academic Perspective

Dong Zong Urges the New Government to Honour Its Election Manifesto

As reported on newspaper today, the Prime Minister Tun Mahathir insisted in a feature interview that to recognise the UEC (United Examination for Independent Chinese Secondary Schools), the feeling of the ethnic Malay must be taken into account and the priority for the moment is, as stated by him, to address the uneven distribution of wealth among the nation. In response to his view, Dong Zong herewith furnishes its stance as follows:

1. Dong Zong reiterates, the recognisation of the UEC is in essence an educational issue and thus it should be mulled from the academic dimension, viz., from the perspective of preparing and nurturing man power for the country and thus practical, professional and rational ruminations should be at play.

2. Dong Jiao Zong reminds, to recognise the UEC at national level was the election manifesto of the Pakatan Harapan government. Now that Pakatan Harapan is in power, it ought to process the recognisation of the UEC in new mindset to honour its election manifesto accordingly.

3. Dong Zong posits, since an ad hoc committee (UEC Task Force Committee) was established by the new government to follow up with the collection and research of public views on the said matter aiming to eventually compile them into a proposal for cabinet discussion and approval, the general public should speak their mind. In this vein, all parties concerned should not manipulate political and racial sentiments to interfere the long overdue recognisation.