KUCHING: A local MP has welcomed Putrajaya’s announcement that Sarawak will be the first state in Malaysia to teach Mathematics and Science in English in primary schools soon.
Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, the MP for Bandar Kuching, said since English is one of the most important languages of the world, picking up the language at a young age will help them master it and place them on a strong footing to compete in the global market.
Federal Minister of Education Dr Maszlee Malik made the announcement on Wednesday after a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg here.
Yii was delighted that Sarawak is chosen as the first state for implementation of the policy, saying that the right to use English is enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Furthermore, English is already the second official language of the state.
“This shows the sincerity of the federal government to promote the usage of English in Science and Mathematics, and respect and uphold the rights of Sarawak and Sabah.
“With the promotion of the usage of English starting in primary schools, it encourages our students to be bilingual which will enhance their learning abilities,” he said in a statement.
Yii said studies have shown that using functional MRIs (imaging studies) of the brain has shown that children who are bilingual at an earlier age use their brain more efficiently compared to those who acquire those skills as adults.
“For example, when asked to translate between the two languages, ‘native’ bilingual speakers use only one part of their brains while those who are bilingual as an adult use two.
“Other cognitive advantages to ‘native’ bilingual speakers include the ability to grasp abstract concepts faster, precisely the intellectual skill helpful in learning mathematics and higher-level science,” he said.
Nevertheless, Yii said there is a need to ensure it is properly implemented, especially in the rural areas which require not just proper training for the teachers to increase their proficiency, but also to create an environment that is conducive to the promotion of interest and usage of English among students, especially in the learning and application science and mathematics.
He hoped that the ministry will also make sure that sufficient resources and adequate reference books on the subjects in English are available.
“While there are much more to make sure the implementation of this policy is done properly and fully it is a good step forward especially for students,” he added.
On a separate matter, Yii said he is glad that the federal and state governments have ironed out issues regarding the RM1-billion contra loan for repairing and rebuilding dilapidated schools in the state.
The issue has always been the proper implementation and method of payment rather than what certain quarters play up as a U-turn or rejection by the federal government.
The main consideration has always been the transparency of implementation to make sure that all quarters benefit from the deal arrangement.
