YOURSAY 'English was one of our most competitive economic advantages and it's a pity that we have lost much of that edge today.'

Schools not allowed to opt for Maths, Science in English

Cala: To do well in private sector, one's command of English must be sufficiently good. For those who are working in technical fields, proficiency in Maths and Science is a must.

If the provision of English teachers is a problem, it is for DPM Muhyiddin Yassin to devise a way to overcome the challenge. The last thing he should do is to ignore the problem.

As it is, according to a survey involving grade 8 (Form 4) students from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, our scores in Maths and Science have been poor.

Our grade 8's scores for the two subjects were 474 and 471 respectively for 2007, while others scored over 530 for both subjects. In sum, our position is pathetic.

Anonymous_417c: Bahasa is spoken and/or understood by over 200 million people. It is a dynamic and living language. We can make it work.

Muhyiddin is right that there will be confusion if schools opt this way or that way. By having Science and Maths in English, thousands of Malay-medium students will be disadvantaged.

The people in the Education Ministry have looked at the big picture and hence their directives. Their reasoning deserves a second look by those who oppose this policy.

Cintaman: I attended an English-medium school in the 60s. While subjects were taught in English, we could still comply with the necessary pass in Bahasa Malaysia to qualify for a full certificate for one simple reason - Bahasa Malaysia is widely spoken outside school and as such, it is easy to pick up.

These days while lessons are conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, not many speak English outside school. Little wonder that the standard of English is simply atrocious.

When politicians tinker with the education system for personal and political agendas, do they realise that the victims are the kids of today who will inherit the future?

Is it any surprise that Singapore has more world-class universities and its graduates held in higher esteem then those churned out by Malaysian universities?

Tkc: Maths and Science is so essential to the development of our children and grandchildren that the decision to have the subjects taught in vernacular languages or English cannot be left to a few individuals in the Education Ministry alone, especially if it is led by a selfish ‘I-am-a-Malay-first-otherwise-they-will-shun-me' minister.

This most important matter should rightfully be put to a national referendum where all parents can have a say in it.

If there is a referendum, and the majority of the people vote for the subjects to be taught in vernacular languages or vice-versa, then we should respect the wishes of the majority.

At the moment, the decision-making is too subjective and undemocratic.

Muak: The education minister said: "There are teachers who are not good at English. So what is the use? Parents' aspirations won't be met."

So the minister is meeting the aspirations of the stupid teachers who cannot teach in English and deny parents of their right to demand a good education for their children.

Something doesn't sound right, does it? Shouldn't the minister be expected the fix the problem of teachers not being able to teach in English? Just saying the teachers who are not good at English is not good enough.

Seno: Due to politics, there are only a handful of teachers who can speak and write in English. As such, the two subjects will never be taught in English.

The problem is no government politicians want to admit the mistake that the majority of Malaysians were conned to believe that the teaching of English language in schools should be abolished.

By the way, the same politicians' children speak and write fantastically well - in English.

Data shows better Maths, Science results during PPSMI

Myrights: The real reason they reversed PPSMI is purely political in nature. These BN ministers and elites will continue to send their children overseas to get their education in English, while ordinary Malaysians are stuck in the backward education system in the national/national-type schools.

By doing this, they keep the rakyat backward while their children will return from overseas to lord over us. And since our children will already be at a disadvantage, their children can continue to control and manipulate the ordinary citizens.

So don't for a moment believe what these Umno politicians say. They are just doing this to stay in power - pure and simple. That's why we must kick them out in the coming GE.

WhatLiesBeneath: If Maths and Science didn't have much to do with English in the earlier days, it's not so now.

The whole world is globalised and interacting in a multitude of areas; science, math, engineering, social interactions, TV, movies, international conventions; the list goes on.

Even other very well-established languages such as French are being threatened by this global language called English. Why do you insist on travelling in the opposite direction? The supporters of PPSMI are fighting for English to be an option only.

And how can you refute the statistical finding that the performance in Maths and Science was progressing well with English as the medium of instruction instead of Malay?

KSD: Actually, the policy of teaching English in schools was already proven a long time ago. Just talk to anyone educated in the early days of our country. They speak perfect English and Bahasa Malaysia, and no one lost their cultures.

English was one of our most competitive economic advantages and it's a pity that we have lost much of that edge today.

Lim Chong Leong: Muhyiddin's reasoning is: "It is difficult and messy, so we won't do it."

Hey, it is your job as the government to provide good education to all however messy and difficult it is.

Sewage treatment is also difficult and messy, but you still do it. Why? Because it is the government's responsibility.

You don't want to do it, then don't be the education minister. In fact, don't be the government.

 

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