The Barisan Alternatif roadshow on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English language issue has been postponed to the end of the month due to the heavy workload of one of the speakers, PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang.
It was reported earlier that the roadshow would commence at the beginning of this month in Penang and move down south to other states.
The top leaders of the three BA parties PAS' Abdul Hadi, Keadilan's Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PRM's Dr Syed Husin Ali are the star attractions in the roadshow to clear the air on the opposition to the controversial implementation that is only four months away.
Besides leading the Muslim party that is the main rival of Umno, Abdul Hadi is also the Opposition Leader and Terengganu menteri besar.
Sufficient time
When contacted today, the BA secretariat secretary Romli Ishak said all preparations have been completed right down to state level, with the only problem being finding a suitable time to accommodate all three presidents' schedules.
Abdul Hadi's schedule is particularly hectic, Romli revealed. Besides attending parliamentary meetings which began this week, the PAS leader is also engrossed in preparing the opposition's shadow budget which is tentatively scheduled for presentation in Parliament on Sept 23.
Romli is confident that there will be sufficient time for the BA to explain to the grassroots the problems with the new education policy.
This, despite wide speculation that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will bring it up to the cabinet this month to make the final decision on the form which the switch will take.
"Everything textbooks, teachers, teaching materials is not prepared yet. Do you think the government is able to implement it from next year?" Romli asked.
He said in addition to the talks to be held, leaflets and brochures will also be distributed to the public during the roadshow.
The first phase of the roadshow will start from Penang and proceed to other west coast states of Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak, he disclosed.
The roadshow is less urgent in the east coast states as majority of the people there objected to the new policy anyway, he added.
Widespread objection
In May, the government announced that the medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics will be changed form Bahasa Melayu to English at certain levels in national schools from next year to arrest the declining standard of English among students.
Later, the government proposed expanding the move to cover vernacular schools as well and has decided to carry out the implementation despite widespread objection from various quarters, especially vernacular education groups.
While these groups acknowledged the importance of mastering English, they argued that teaching Science and Mathematics in that language will not improve proficiency in it.
They also said that the switch may see vernacular school students' performance in the two subjects deteriorate as it is easier for them to learn the subjects in their mother tongues.
Even Chinese-based parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition have expressed reservations over the switch.
This eventually led to the prime minister announcing that all views will be considered by the government before a final decision is made.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, which is committed to publishing the primary school textbooks next year affected by the new policy, has reportedly confirmed that the required arithmetic textbooks for Year One will be in the market by December.
