By CV Chong
Ex-Student of Sabah Chinese Independent High School
KOTA KINABALU: The ongoing dilemma surrounding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) qualification obtained from Chinese Independent High Schools remains unresolved, particularly for ordinary and financially struggling Chinese families in Sabah.
Despite repeated promises during election seasons, many political parties continue to overlook the core issue faced by these families — the prohibitive cost of higher education and the lack of local institutions that recognize UEC qualifications. The misconception that all Chinese students come from privileged backgrounds ignores the reality that many families struggle to afford tuition fees or to send their children to universities outside Sabah.
At present, only Selangor and Sarawak have established their own state-owned universities, while Sabah still lacks such an institution. This absence continues to limit opportunities for capable UEC holders who wish to pursue degree or professional programs locally.
Due to these constraints, many Chinese Independent High Schools are compelled to prepare their students for A-Level qualifications. This is not out of preference, but a necessity born from limited access to recognized higher learning institutions that accept the UEC. Recognition without real opportunities has created a dead end for many hardworking students who deserve better.
It is therefore time for Sabah to take a decisive step forward by establishing its own state-owned university that officially recognizes UEC qualifications and provides an inclusive pathway for higher education — from degree to doctorate levels — without the constraints of economic hardship.
Education must remain a pillar of development, not a political tool. When education meets politics, it becomes a disaster. As Chinese educators and concerned alumni, we are not interested in participating in political campaigns or being used as electoral tokens. What Sabah needs is genuine and consistent commitment to education, not temporary gestures made to win votes.
A state-owned university that recognizes UEC qualifications would not only uplift Sabah’s education system but also nurture its human capital. It would allow talented young people from modest backgrounds to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Sabah’s and Malaysia’s progress.
Recognition without practical opportunity continues to shortchange these capable students. Concrete action must be taken now to ensure inclusive, affordable, and merit-based access to higher education for all UEC holders in Sabah.
We call on all political parties, policymakers, and education authorities to move beyond symbolic recognition and support the establishment of a Sabah state university that truly opens doors for UEC holders from all socio-economic backgrounds.
