As part of its 14th general election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan Youth leaders today pledged to introduce a more equitable distribution of quality education at all levels.

The manifesto, endorsed by the Youth chiefs of all four Harapan component parties pledged, among others, to introduce free early childhood education as well as free higher education at public universities.

"At the primary and secondary school levels, we are also mooting for a part-decentralisation of the school administration with greater autonomy for schools and district education offices.

"We realise that education is dynamic, and with disparity that is apparent in society, it is therefore unrealistic to expect all schools to carry out a single education system without varying results," said PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who presented the manifesto during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Other key points raised include reiterating their pledge to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), the standardised test Chinese independent high school students sit for, for entry into local universities.

Among others, Nik Nazmi (photo) pointed out that recognition has been given by universities in Harapan controlled states, for example, Universiti Selangor and Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor.

On the implementation of this recognition at the federal level, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman conceded that the "devil is in the details", which must be further discussed by Harapan's presidential council.

"There are things that all of us agree on, which is the status of Bahasa Melayu as the national language," Syed Saddiq said, adding that further discussions would be based on ensuring that the recognition would not go against any provision of the Federal Constitution.

Aside from Selangor and Penang, Sarawak remains the only BN-controlled state that recognises the UEC for enrolment in local universities.

DAP Youth chief Wong Kah Woh gave a reassurance that there would be no changes made to the current UEC syllabus, as a condition for its recognition.

"Our stand is very clear. Number one is recognition of UEC, number two, definitely, there will be no changing of its syllabus... Of course, as to eventually how to deal with the technical part, we need to have a deeper discussion.

"If it is not in line with the National Education Blueprint, then we will have to deal with it," Wong added.

'Review university rules'

Mahasiswa Amanah chairperson Ahmad Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda, who was also present, voiced support for Harapan Youth's promise of greater autonomy for local universities.

"We have to review the current universities' disciplinary handbook.

"At present, among the offences listed include for a student to have a speaker, and punishable with a possible suspension," said Ahmad Fadhli, 23, an International Law student at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa.

As part of its push for free higher education, the Harapan Youth manifesto also noted that it would be unrealistic to instantly phase out all student loans disbursed under the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

"As such, taking into account the cost of living, PTPTN payment should only be made compulsory once a person's salary has reached a minimum of RM4,000," the leaders said in their manifesto.