COMMENT | Malaysian education policy has always been a hot topic of debate since it was first introduced by the first Malayan government in 1956.

With certain quarters urging the Malaysian government to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) used by independent Chinese secondary schools, which has been under Dong Zong’s purview and custody since 1975, the issue once again resurfaced to instigate emotional reactions rather than an academic construct.

The UEC is a delicate matter that has proven to be a convenient tool for political parties to divide communities of different races, which might be useful to rally political support whenever the situation demands.

However, debates and discussions on the UEC should not be suppressed by the government, as it would be more beneficial for the public to comprehend why it would be unwise for the government to adhere to such demands.

Given that...