Sometimes I can't understand this BN Gomen, with every changing of a PM there will always be some fundamental ways how the new Prime Minister will run this blessed country, why can't a Gomen from the same ruling coalition stick to agreed beneficial long term policies as before?
Of course undeniably I am grateful that many changes are good but today I am in no mood talking about the good, preferring to talk about the bad specifically the cancellation of the PPSMI - Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris OR The Teaching and Learning of Mathematics and Science in the English Language which received widespread protest by many Parents in Malaysia the protest has turned into a movement called PAGE led by its tireless Chairman Noor Azimah.
I have posted a few articles on the PPSMI too here and here, to help where I can to raise awareness to this pressing PPSMI issue which I promise the Gomen will not go away and hidden buried under the carpet of replacement Acronyms like MBMMBI (Upholding the national language, strengthening the English language)
OK Lets read the news shall we, it started with a statement from the DPM and Minister of Education:
Still under study Tan Sri? I think the Cabinet are wasting valuable time for our children as the world passes us by, all this while Gomen talks about encouraging Malaysian to be able to compete and work globally even wanting to import Ex-malaysian Talents from overseas who are presumably fluent in English to work here to the detriment of the loyal local work force already in place in Malaysia.
I say the future of our children in education especially should not be sacrificed on the altars of political expediency to get political support for the incumbent Gomen from selfish groups with vested interests.
I totally support PAGE's Noor Azimah open letter to the BN Gomen:
Posted on 17 August 2011 - 11:20am
THE decline of English proficiency among Malaysians was long foreseen when English-medium schools were abolished in 1970.
It was made worse that students were influenced by young activists and ultra-nationalists who were adamant that speaking the English language meant being “colonised” and that one could survive with Bahasa Malaysia only.
Ten years ago, the then prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his cabinet, resolved that the best way possible within the confines of the Federal Constitution, was to introduce the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI).
It was a policy that was two-prong, superior, tried and tested, and visionary. It addressed the importance of acquiring the knowledge of science, technology and international finance which was desperately needed to achieve developed nation status in 2020 and, simultaneously, provided a context in which the English language could be applied and practised.
PPSMI is now being replaced by MBMMBI (Upholding the national language, strengthening the English language), a policy which now appears not well thought out, in that exposure of students to the English language in terms of subject hours is now halved as compared to what was implemented under PPSMI.
The very basic question for the deputy prime minister to answer is, “How will English proficiency improve if exposure to the language is halved?”
PPSMI has proven itself to have improved English. Since its implementation in 2003, the SPM results have revealed, every year, that rural students (92.3% passes) have continued to outperform urban students (91.0% passes), in science which is in English, at the last count.
With English, during the same span of time, rural students have tremendously improved in their English proficiency, from as low as 61.4% passes at the start, gradually trending upwards and now achieving up to 71.2% passes, a marked incline.
PPSMI is a ready solution which needs to be improved upon. Rebranding Malay-medium schools is not. Neither is yet another review.
Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
Chairman
PAGE Malaysia
Ten years ago, the then prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his cabinet, resolved that the best way possible within the confines of the Federal Constitution, was to introduce the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI).
It was a policy that was two-prong, superior, tried and tested, and visionary. It addressed the importance of acquiring the knowledge of science, technology and international finance which was desperately needed to achieve developed nation status in 2020 and, simultaneously, provided a context in which the English language could be applied and practised.
PPSMI is now being replaced by MBMMBI (Upholding the national language, strengthening the English language), a policy which now appears not well thought out, in that exposure of students to the English language in terms of subject hours is now halved as compared to what was implemented under PPSMI.
The very basic question for the deputy prime minister to answer is, “How will English proficiency improve if exposure to the language is halved?”
PPSMI has proven itself to have improved English. Since its implementation in 2003, the SPM results have revealed, every year, that rural students (92.3% passes) have continued to outperform urban students (91.0% passes), in science which is in English, at the last count.
With English, during the same span of time, rural students have tremendously improved in their English proficiency, from as low as 61.4% passes at the start, gradually trending upwards and now achieving up to 71.2% passes, a marked incline.
PPSMI is a ready solution which needs to be improved upon. Rebranding Malay-medium schools is not. Neither is yet another review.
Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
Chairman
PAGE Malaysia
The Najib BN Gomen must remember their mantra:
The reinstatement of the PPSMI is one flip flop decision that will be welcome by thankful parents throughout Malaysia. The Gomen is at a cross road, the moment of truth is at hand, reinstate the PPSMI and Malaysians will forever remember this Najib BN Gomen as one who really walk the talk not just walking about with the rakyat.
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