Until 1976, the medium of instruction in schools and universities was English. From 1977, the education policy was changed so Bahasa Malaysia became the medium of instruction.
However, in June 2002, a dramatic shift in the Malaysian Educational Policy was announced whereby from January 2003, Science and Mathematics will be taught in English in standard One, Form One and Lower Six in all fully aided government schools.
The rationale for this decision was that most Science based courses in the universities were highly dependent on reference materials published in the English language. This move was to facilitate the learning process in educational institutions.
Tragically, the government announced last year that it would revert to the teaching of the two subjects in the Malay language in national schools and the students’ mother tongue (Mandarin or Tamil) in national-type Chinese and Tamil schools from 2011 following the abolishment of the policy of teaching and learning Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI). Following that, our government announced the strategy of upholding the Malay language and strengthening the command of English in schools.
Those who are in Standard 6, Form 1 and Form 2 (who are currently learning Science and Maths in English) will be hit when they reach Form 4 and Form 5 whereby they will study Science and Maths in BM and after that learn those subjects in English again when they move on to Form 6. So for two years, it will be a drastic change for them and by the time they have adapted, they have to learn in English as well. There are serious implications not just for students but for teachers as well. What is the rationale for this shift?
I do not want to repeat the arguments that others have put forward against the abolishment of the PPSMI. You can read more about that HERE and HERE.
This evening, I came across this paper by Hannah Pillay called "WINDS OF CHANGE: TEACHING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN ENGLISH - A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE SCHOOL".
I just one to highlight one aspect of this hot topic. Consider this excerpt from the above-mentioned paper:
Distribution of Human ResourcesSo all that money spent to implement the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English in Standard One, Form One and Lower Six in all fully aided government schools w.e.f. 2003 has gone down the drain just like that.
It cannot be denied that there is an uneven distribution of Science and Mathematics teachers who are competent in English. Currently, some urban schools are better placed to take advantage of the Ministry’s policy of allowing schools to teach Science and Mathematics in English at all levels, if they have the manpower and resources. There is concern amongst head teachers that various officials will seek to move certain teachers in order to ensure there is a fairer distribution of the available human resources. Is this to be considered “poaching” or “redistribution” of human resources? As a head teacher, I am concerned because the movement of teachers will effect the planning in schools.
From the point of view the District Director of Education or the State Education department, the smooth implementation of the policy will depend on whether schools are evenly resourced What ever decisions are taken, I hope that they will be taken in consultation with the schools heads.
Resources
In the national budget for 2003, the Prime Minister announced that RM 5 billion would be allocated between 2002-2008, for the implementation of the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
All teachers from national schools teaching these two subjects and English would be given a laptop computer to use. All Standard One, Form One and Lower Six classes will be equipped with a LCD projector, a screen and a trolley with speakers and an UPS system.
The Ministry of Education has also prepared materials for use in Standard One, Form One and Lower Six. Each school will be given a launching grant of RM $5,000 to $15,000 to acquire additional materials.
However issues of maintenance and security have not been adequately addressed. The cost of maintaining this equipment is high. Many headteachers are concerned as to who will bear the cost of maintenance as we expect in the initial stages, there will be problems as teachers get used to handling and using the equipment.
The other great concern is security. Most schools are not adequately provided for in terms of security. There are a number of schools, which do not have a twenty four hour security system in place. Hence, it is vital that as more expensive equipment comes in, the Ministry of Education needs to ensure that there is a better security system in place in schools.
The other issue that needs to be raised is whether there is the necessity of equipping schools with all these hardware. Often, it is easy to acquire hardware but not that easy to acquire suitable software.
Institutions sometimes make the mistake of acquiring hardware without making adequate provision for acquiring software. Further, the issue of actual use in the classroom needs to be looked into. Take a Mathematics class for instance. A mathematical solution to a problem needs to be explained in such a way so that the students see the steps being taken towards solving the problem with the teacher explaining it as it is done. Would it be better to use the white board or the computer? CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE PAPER.
Can you imagine this? That policy lasted from 2003 to 2010 - a total of eight years.
Why change the policy again after such a short period of time? Time and money not forgetting manpower hours have been lost as this change has meant that new textbooks, resources and educational materials have to be prepared in tandem with the change.
It is most unfortunate that it seems as though our education system has long been manipulated to favour a certain party for its vested interest. The motives for the change in policy are highly questionable. I can imagine the frustration that TDM must have felt when he first learnt about this change. Although I may not agree with everything he says in other issues, I feel that what he said today about how mastery of the English Language does NOT undermine one's patriotism is spot on.
Truly, for far too long, students have been getting a raw deal as they are the guinea pigs for new policies. At the end of the day, the students suffer. So do teachers but the worst thing is some are willing to let the country suffer in the long run just so they can achieve mileage in their political agenda. The language issue is minor compare to the eroded standards and the quota system and the need to make our youth internationally competitive that our nation may be a high income nation in the future.
Politics and education are like oil and water. They cannot mix.
As it is, far too many graduates today cannot string a sentence or write a decent application letter in English. Instead of moving forward by taking remedial action to restore the deplorable standard of English and to preserve our international competitiveness, they are moving backwards and spending more money!!!
Who suffers?
EVERYONE!!!!
Don't they get it?
Oh perhaps they don't as they are likely to pack their kids off to international schools locally or they may send them abroad to boarding schools.
And who pays for all these wonderful policies??
The rakyat.
You.
Me.
And what do we get???? Excellence in education? Advancement of the Nation?
More money down the LONGKANG!!! And for what purpose?? For whose benefit again?
Sighs.
PJN Maybe as parents, we should ask ourselves what are we doing for our children. We know from the past records, the people involved in making decision on education have been micky-mousing for a very long time.
During my time I ensure my children master both BM and English. The only mistake I made was that I did not push them to master mandarin.
Today my children can produce great reports both in BM & English and can make a decent living in the market place.
I did go through lots of pain trying to balance BM & English when they were growing up.
I would encourage modern parents to encourage their children to learn 3 languages (BM,English & Mandarin) I am sure money spent on this will not go into the longkang.
I have done my best and now I am going to my garden to smell the flowers before I reach the finishing line.
Have a nice day. Continue blogging. Still love this blog. Great for old people like me.....hehehe.