MCA will continue with its efforts to get Chinese independent schools' Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders gain recognition by the government, said the party's president Dr Chua Soi Lek today.

chinese economic congress 140810 chua soi lek He said the UEC recognition matter would be discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, soon to seek a solution to the matter.

Speaking to reporters at an event where 50 excellent students from Chinese Independent High School were awarded education funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in Kuala Lumpur, Chia said it was "a good start" and reflected the government's commitment in taking care of the Chinese.

Each recipient will receive RM15,000 annually for the next three years.

1MDB is the body which provides the funding while its partners joinly select deserving students.

The 1MDB is partnership with Dong Jiao Zhong (United Chinese School Communitees Association of Malaysia) and Huaren Education Foundation to select the recipients based on merit.

In June, Muhyiddin had been reported as saying that the government does not recognise the UEC because it does not adhere to the national education syllabus and not because it is associated with Chinese education.

However, he said, that the government was striving to provide career opportunities to the holders of the certificate by allowing them to teach Mandarin in Chinese national-type schools or national schools.

- Bernama