Press Digest - SM Chong Hwa students will be allowed to sit for UEC

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon has assured students of SM Chong Hwa, Kuantan that they will be allowed to sit for the UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) examination this year.
He gave the assurance yesterday to allay fears among the students that they might be barred from sitting for the examination in two weeks' time following claims by Chinese Schools Alumni Association of Malaysia that the school risks putting 60 other Chinese independent schools in jeopardy for holding the private examination, the Chinese press reported prominently today.
Early in the day, association president Chen Wen Dat showed the press a letter dated Sept 8 this year from Malaysian Examination Syndicates director Datin Nawal Salleh saying it was an offence under Section 69(1) of the Education Act for the school, deemed a private secondary school given approval to operate in conformity with the National Education Policy, to conduct the UEC exam.
Chen's revelation caused a stir among Chinese educationists as the status of the school had been a bone of contention between two Chinese education groups holding opposing views due to some ambiguity in the school's approval letter.
Acting swiftly, Chong told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur after contacting Education director-general Tan Sri Khair Mohamad Yusof that the Examination Board would be told to void the letter.
Khair had, in a letter to the school dated Oct 22, 2015, said the ministry had no objection if the students wanted to sit for the UEC examination.
According to China Press, Nawal had confirmed receiving a directive, adding that the board would withdraw the letter immediately.
She declined to comment when asked by the daily on the earlier stand taken by the board.
"Wait for the board's press statement," she said.