A research paper claims that the teaching of science and mathematics in English (better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) has evidence to suggest that only a small proportion of students benefit from the move.

The research paper claims that the switch of medium of instruction to English resulted in the majority of students losing interest in the two subjects.

anti ppsmi math and science education in english school children The research was conducted by Pemuafakatan Badan Ilmiah Nasional (Pembina) and titled 'Teacher Competancy Level in the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English and its Implications on the Student Development.'

The research paper was produced in collaboration with eight public universities, which includes Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

“PPSMI’s constribution is very minimal - less than four percent of students improve in English as a whole (as a result of the language switch),” read the 10-page report.

The research involved a sample of 553 teachers and 15,089 students. The majority of student respondents (62.2 percent) were from rural schools.

Based on the research, Pembina argues that the data obtained showed that PPSMI had resulted in “double jeapardy” in which 75 percent of students surveyed performed poorly in English as well as science and mathematic subjects.

“PPSMI has killed the interest and enthusiasm of students to learn science and mathematics since primary school,” the report said.

Communication breakdown

The research claims that the cause of this stems from the inability of teachers and students to interact in English competently.

science and math in english The research paper concluded PPSMI should be abolished and the medium of instruction for both science and mathematics should be restored prior to the implementation of the policy in 2003.

Pembina president Abdul Raof Hussin told Malaysiakini that the research was revealed March 17 during the Second Malaysia Culture Congress organised by the Federation of Malay Writers Associations (Gapena).

The congress also approved a resolution for PPSMI’s abolishment and that the national language be used as the sole language in the education system from primary school until university level.

It is learnt that the contents from the research paper was also discussed during a Education Ministry round-table discussion last year.

On the research, Abdul Roaf said that study involved 53 linguists and was conducted over a seven-month period last year and cost approximately RM470,000.

“I hope the study would give the true picture on PPSMI. The sample size was large from various schooling streams and involved both ghani othman urban and rural areas nationwide,” he said.

Abdul Rauf stressed that the research was conducted independently. However, there is speculation that Pembina is linked to Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman ( photo ).