Malaysia’s education gamble: UEC option and lowering school age

From considering UEC path to starting school at six – is Malaysia's education overhaul built to last?

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For our February episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Eddin Khoo, historian, writer, educator, and founder of Malaysian traditional culture conservation group Pusaka.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:08 Chinese minority in Kelantan: What has changed in five years?

7:35 PAS back in federal government: Lessons from Kelantan for non-Muslims?

11:19 The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) solution: Durable or more trouble ahead?

16:23 PM Anwar’s political balancing act on UEC: How sustainable?

19:38 Standard One readiness test rollback: Responsive or poor planning?

22:12 What do Malaysians really want from the education system?

26:52 If you were elected mayor of KL, what would you fix first?

Where Muslims pray in ‘Beijing Mosque’ and a Chinese community finds its way https://str.sg/chinese-minority-kelantan

Malaysia makes Malay and history compulsory for Chinese independent school route to public universities: https://str.sg/7BNQ

After Sabah drubbing, debate reignites over little-known exam that could break up PM Anwar’s coalition: https://str.sg/n6yA

Who should run KL? Study into local polls stirs fears over demographics: https://str.sg/ci5e