Malaysia: Study On Policy Of Teaching Science And Mathematics In English In Final Stage

[Harold Schiffman]

Study On Policy Of Teaching Science And Mathematics In English In Final Stage


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry will table a
report of a study on the direction of the policy on the teaching of
Science and Mathematics in English to the Cabinet before end of this
year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Its minister, Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said preparation of the analysis on the
study and proposal papers on the direction of the policy was in the
final stage and would be tabled to the Cabinet for perusal. He said
this in response to a question by Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar (Pas-Tumpat)
during the question and answer session.

Kamaruddin wanted to know whether the ministry took into account the
views and calls by non-governmental organisations to discontinue with
the teaching of the two subjects in English. Hishammuddin said the
ministry was aware that many people were waiting to hear the
government's decision on the matter. "I understand the situation, but
I want to inform this august House that implementation of the policy
is very important and various aspects have to be looked into and
studied, including on the aspects of curriculum, preparedness of the
students and teachers, programme evaluation, implementation cost, as
well as short and long term effects to the country's capability to
continue to be competitive globally," he added.

He said whatever the decision to be announced by the government, it
would take into account four matters -- position of the Malay language
as a national language would continue to be upheld, proficiency of the
English language to be enhanced, teachers' competency in teaching
Science and Mathematics to be given priority and students' achievement
in Science and Mathematics to be improved.

In a related development, the "Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI", a group which
is against the teaching of the two subjects in English, today urged
the government to reconsider the policy, saying that after six year's
of implementation, the policy failed to benefit students, especially
the Malay students in rural schools.

"The outcome of a study conducted by a group of 50 lecturers from
seven universities at 70 secondary schools and 90 primary schools
nationwide found that the policy has failed to give any benefit to
students," its chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad told a press conference
at the Parliament lobby here.

He was there to hand over a memorandum on the matter to Hishammuddin
as well as PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Opposition
chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Dr Hassan said the movement was not influenced by any political
parties or that it was against the English language, but on the
believe that the policy was wrong.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=390404


-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to
its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner
or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who
disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)
*******************************************