[lg policy] Singapore Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Malay Language Programs

Wed Jun 16 14:39:13 UTC 2010

Singapore Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Malay Language Programs
Source: Government of Singapore
Posted on: 13th June 2010
MOE will continue to provide differentiated teaching to meet the
varying needs of students.

Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary,
Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs, at the 10th
Anniversary of the Elective Malay for Secondary Schools (EMAS) and
Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP) at Tampines Junior College on
Saturday, 12 Jun 2010.

Mr Mohamed Noh Daipi
Centre Director Malay Language of Singapore and Assisstant Director
Mother Tongue Languages
Curriculum Planning & Development Division, MOE

Principals, Teachers, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon.

I will begin my speech in English before continuing it in Malay.

It gives me great pleasure to join you here this afternoon to
celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Elective Malay For Secondary
Schools (EMAS) and Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP). Both EMAS
and MLEP have grown in leaps and bounds over these 10 years.

Today, we are gathered to celebrate the achievements of these
programmes. I would like to specially commend teachers of both
programmes for playing a significant role in producing a continuous
stream of students who have attained a high standard of Malay
Language.

This is important in ensuring that there will continue to be people
well equipped to play certain roles in our society later on—as thought
leaders, journalists, as academics or Malay Language teachers in our
schools influencing the next generation.

We need to recognise that there is a shifting profile of language used
in Malay homes. Five years ago, about one quarter of P1 Malay children
come from homes use predominantly English at home. Today, more than a
third do.

Given this changing home language profiles in just over five years, we
would need to look ahead to ensure that our pedagogical approaches are
in step. Since 2007, a differentiated approach catering to a range of
learners has been adopted in primary school. The tahap approach is
unique to our Singapore context.

We will review this approach, and to refine it if necessary. For those
who have the ability and interest in the Malay language, like those on
the EMAS and MLEP, we will encourage and enable them to learn the
language to as high a level as possible.

Distinguished guests, allow me at this juncture to continue my speech in Malay.

[Translation] Introduction:

It gives me great pleasure to be with all of you this afternoon. The
10th anniversary celebration of the Elective Malay for Secondary
Schools (EMAS) and Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP) is a
meaningful event for all of us. As a significant pinnacle of
achievements in our effort to enhance Malay language in Singapore,
EMAS and MLEP programmes reflect the close partnership between
Ministry of Education, schools, students, parents and the community in
developing skills and nurturing passion in our students towards the
language.

EMAS was first launched at Bukit Panjang Government High School and
MLEP at Tampines Junior College in 2001. Since then, we have expanded
the EMAS and MLEP programmes. In 2006, we introduced EMAS at Tanjong
Katong Secondary School and MLEP at Innova Junior College.

The aim of both programmes is to nurture the language talents of
students so that they can attain a high level of proficiency in the
Malay language and a deeper appreciation of Malay culture and
literature. This allows us to produce more language experts and
leaders to continue the effort of enriching and enhancing Malay
language in Singapore.

Ladies and gentlemen, both EMAS and MLEP programmes have reached its
tenth year. Many students from both programmes have benefited
extensively through the various activities organised. We hope that
these are the individuals who will spearhead and lead community
efforts in nurturing love towards the language and culture in the
future.

I am pleased to note that many EMAS and MLEP students progress on to
continue with post secondary education. I am proud to announce that to
date, 73 MLEP students have received MLEP scholarship and 153 students
are pursuing university education. MLEP programmes have also
contributed significantly to the teaching profession. To date, there
are 47 MLEP graduates who had joined the teaching service. It is also
heartening to note that many of them were also involved in organising
today’s 10th year anniversary celebration.

Among the many MLEP students, Shahida Hassim, from Tampines Junior
College, a student in the academic year 2005/2006 was awarded with the
SPH Bursary, while Siti Hazirah Mohamad, from the same cohort, was
awarded with the Teaching Scholarship. Nur Diyana Abdul Kader, a
student from Innova Junior College, in the academic year 2007/2008 was
the recipient of the Prime Minister Book Prize Award for her
excellence in bilingualism and achieving ‘A’ grades for all her
subjects in the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination. This year, Muhammad Andi
Zulkepli, a student from Tampines Junior College is nominated for the
NIE Award 2010 and the Rotary International 75th Anniversary Gold
Medal Award.

EMAS and MLEP programmes have also helped students achieve the vision
of Arif Budiman. EMAS and MLEP graduates contributed in various fields
such as teaching, media and journalism. Many are also active in
organising language activities for various organisations such as the
National University of Singapore Malay Language Society, Nanyang
Technological University / National Institute of Education Malay
Language and Culture Society, Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union and
Malay Youths Literary Association. May I say “Well done” to all EMAS
and MLEP students and teachers for their determination and efforts in
ensuring that the Malay language, literature and culture remain
vibrant and alive.

MOE will continue in our efforts to provide differentiated teaching to
meet the varying needs of our students. For those who have the ability
and interest in the Malay language, like those on the EMAS and MLEP,
we will encourage and enable them to learn the language to as high a
level as possible.

I hope that EMAS and MLEP centres will continue to find innovative
ways to make the programmes engaging for the students. There is also a
need for us to think of various strategies to encourage EMAS and MLEP
graduates to be part of the teaching service. This is essential to
ensure that Malay language, literature and culture remains vibrant,
alive and dynamic in Singapore.

Closing

Ladies and gentlemen, time does not determine language continuity and
the number of language experts produced within a community. Instead,
it is the relentless and continuous effort of promoting the language
that determines language continuity and development. The Malay
language will remain alive and well if we continue to strive and
persevere in our efforts to help students achieve the language
proficiency to as high a level they are capable of. There is an old
saying that goes, “Knowledge that is not practised, is no different
from a tree that bears no fruit.” Similarly, in the case of a
language, if we do not use it, we will lose it.

Once again, my heartiest congratulations to EMAS and MLEP. May both
programmes accomplish greater success in the near future and acts as
an avenue to produce more Malay language and literary experts and
intellects for the community.

In conclusion, allow me to grace the occasion with a verse of pantun:

Dokoh puteri seri sepangsa,
Bersalut EMAS bersulam suasa;
Kukuh cinta lestari bahasa,
Teguh budaya jiwa bangsa.

[Translation]
[Pendants of princess glittering in line,
Plated in gold and weaved in alloy (mix of gold and copper);
Deep love will ever last language,
Strongly rooted culture be soul of the community.]

Thank you.
http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/asia/singapore-celebrates-10th-anniversary-of-malay-language-programs-33461.html

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