[lg policy] Malaysia: Sarawak's English policy practical

[Harold Schiffman]

Sarawak's English policy practical
2016-09-14 17:11

   - <http://www.mysinchew.com/photodisplay.php?file=%2Ffiles%2Fadenan.jpg>
   Instead of passively waiting for the federal directive, Sarawak should
   perhaps take the positive initiatives as many Sarawakians hope to see some
   substantial progress in the state's pursuit of greater autonomy.



*Translated by DOMINIC LOH Sin Chew Daily*

Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem has reiterated the importance of the
English language. Following his earlier call for English to be listed
alongside BM as the state's official language, so that the English
competency of the state's civil servants and students can be enhanced, he
now says the state government will seek the approval of the federal
government to set up more English-medium schools in Sarawak.

This marks an important milestone in Sarawak's quest for greater education
autonomy.

The importance of the English language is well beyond arguments, and it is
equally true that the standard of English among Malaysians is fast
declining. It it therefore imperative that the authorities look into this
seriously so as to readjust the national education policy to improve the
overall English standard in the country.

Nevertheless, owing to disruptions from some nationalistic politicians and
a host of other factors, the effort to strengthen the country's English
education has come under tremendous pressure.

Adenan says the education policy that rejects English is very unwise, and
it is believed that many Malaysians will feel the same way.

Adenan is of the opinion that without rectifying the current flawed
education policy, there is no way we can lift the country's English
standard to meet the needs of the international community, sacrificing the
country's development in the long run.

As such, Sarawak aspires to move ahead of the rest of the country by
pushing through education policy that will benefit the nation and her
people.

On the federal level, indeed the government has plans to fortify
Malaysians' English command but unfortunately too much time and effort have
been wasted on data collection and discussions.

As a matter of fact, educationists and government education officials are
well aware of such a problem, and the key now lies with the government's
political resolution to implement the much needed reforms. Compared to many
other politicians in the country, Adenan is without the slightest doubt a
more pragmatic leader.

The problem Adenan will have to encounter on the matters of education
autonomy is that education policies and decisions are still very much in
the hands of the federal government, and the re-establishment of
English-medium schools cannot go ahead without the green light from the
federal education ministry. The thing is, will the national education
policy allow "one country, two systems" in education?

Notably, ten years after joining Malaysia, Sarawak chose to abandon English
as the state's official language on its own accord. The political and
social factors that need to be taken into consideration today are very
different from then, and things could get really tacky now.

Sarawakians have proposed to the Adenan administration to permit the
establishment of more English-medium private schools in the state by
exercising the limited autonomous rights it has without contravening the
status of BM as the country's official language, instead of waiting for a
nod from the federal education ministry.

Currently there is already a St Joseph's Private School run by the Catholic
church in Kuching, and it is the state government's prerogative to allow
more of such schools in the state. With the blessings from the state
government, setting up more private schools is not an issue at all.

Instead of passively waiting for the federal directive, Sarawak should
perhaps take the positive initiatives as many want to see some substantial
progress in the state's pursuit of greater autonomy.

Putting aside factors such as hindrance to national unity and the
development of the national language, the focus of boosting English should
be to enhance the country's connectivity with the outside world.

If this initiative succeeds in Sarawak, it should serve as a powerful
catalyst for the federal government's English language reform.
- See more at: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/115391#sthash.UTMa2qjE.dpuf


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